Due to the epidemiological situation, the Institute of Mental Health of the Faculty of Health and Public Administration held its graduation ceremony this year instead of last year at the Nagyvárad tér Theoretical Building, where 112 mental health professionals received their diplomas.

In his greeting, Dr. Gábor Török, Deputy Director of the Institute of Mental Health, emphasized the importance of experiencing emotions through a personal example. 

“Our emotional needs are not negligible, they cannot be avoided, feelings take up space, either ‘here and now’ or later, but it is necessary that we deal with them sometimes”, he said. 

Dr. Gábor Török pointed out that last year, in addition to several new, good things, people also experienced isolation, separation and delay, and many people gave up several things. As he highlighted, it is the responsibility of helping professionals to provide support to others in experiencing emotions and needs that have been delayed and set aside for a long time, in accepting and processing losses. He also talked about the fact that after two years of intensive joint work, it is now important to experience the joys and pains of completion, as the celebration and the farewell are also parts of a process. 

In his welcome speech, Dr. Gábor Semsey, assistant professor at the Institute of Mental Health, head of the departmental section collected the values ​​that make it good to study here. 

“We have learned to take our feelings seriously, to accept each other, we know that our own mental health is also important, and that we can always count on each other”, he said. 

Dr. Gábor Semsey also highlighted the importance of a partnership that facilitates collaboration. He emphasized the significance of the departmental section: according to him, they are much more protected, more balanced, and more effective in many ways. 

“I wish you a lot of shared experiences together with your group mates, whether it is about working together, meetings, learning together or having fun. Maintain and build the network of relationships with each other”, said Dr. Gábor Semsey. 

The student recollections as well as the humorous scene and musical composition performed by the graduates were followed by the awarding of diplomas. 112 mental health professionals, who graduated last year, have received their diplomas at Semmelweis University.

Bernadett Bódi
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Katalin Illés-Romhányi