A two-day capacity-building workshop titled “Moving on After Breast Cancer with High-Intensity CBT” was organized by the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL Pakistan) under its Defeat Cancer Program at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).
The workshop aimed to address the increasing psychological and psychosocial challenges faced by breast cancer patients and survivors in Pakistan, highlighting the importance of integrating mental health care into cancer treatment.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Nazia Iqbal, Incharge of the Female Department of Psychology, who emphasized the urgent need for structured mental health interventions alongside medical treatment for cancer patients.
During the two-day program, participants attended twelve structured sessions combining theoretical learning with practical clinical training. The sessions focused particularly on the management of depression and the application of High-Intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals coping with breast cancer.
Through the workshop, participants were equipped with evidence-based therapeutic skills to support patients dealing with the psychological impact of cancer. Following the training, the participating students are expected to serve as master trainers, enabling them to independently conduct CBT-based interventions for cancer patients in their respective professional settings.
The workshop concluded with remarks by Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at IIUI, who appreciated the efforts of the organizing team, participating students, and the focal persons Dr. Amna Hassan and Dr. Sameena Iqbal.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates among participants, marking the successful completion of the training program aimed at strengthening psychological support services for breast cancer survivors.