Centre for Mental Health  & Well-Being and  Course in Clinical Psychology is in offing-Prof Rai

The Dept of Psychology, JU with DD & OE & UNICEF, India Organizes One day National Seminar on “Mental Health & Wellbeing: A Global Priority”

JAMMU, May 15 The Department of Psychology, University of Jammu with the Directorate of Distance & Online Education and UNICEF, India as Knowledge Partners organized a one-day National Seminar on “Mental Health & Wellbeing: A Global Priority” in Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.

Dr. Anand Prakash, Senior Professor, Psychology, Delhi University (Ex) & Professor Emeritus, School of Behavioral Sciences, Manav Rachna International University, the Chief Guest for the occasion in his keynote address highlighted that the intersection between individual and social circumstances have to be taken into consideration to move towards mental wellness. Sharing his practical contribution in developing the Digital Mental Health ID which is an online test that classifies levels of stress, he spoke of its relevance in connection with the Global Mental Health Project. Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, in his presidential address, expressed his gratitude to Prof.

Anand Prakash for the initiative and congratulated the Department of Psychology for organizing an academic event surrounding the idea of mental health.

He also resolved to take steps to set up a centre for mental health and well-being and a Course in Clinical  Psychology within the University in the near future. While addressing the gathering, Prof. Rajnikant, Dean Research Studies, University of Jammu spoke on the common experience of anxiety and stress, which is largely ignored due to the stigma around the subject. He further spoke of the importance of help at local, regional and global levels to tackle the issue. Prof. Sangita Gupta, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences in her address stressed upon the importance of community kindness in the sustenance of mental health. She shared some recent statistics of mental health within India and expressed her concern.

Prof. Satnam Kour Raina, Head, Department of Psychology, in her formal welcome address stressed upon the importance of mental health and well-being in the present times and the need to normalize the conversation around mental health.

The programme was followed by a plenary session which was chaired by Prof. Anand Prakash. The session included four speakers, namely, Dr. Sushil Razdan, Prof. Satish Kumar, Prof. Vandana Sharma, and Dr. Manu Arora. In his lecture, Dr. Razdan discussed how mental illness is increasingly becoming a factor in causing death.

He quoted that there are up to forty percent of death cases that come up in relation to mental disorders, depression and anxiety. Following this, Prof. Satish Kumar gave a lecture on the increasing challenges to mental health that are caused by the present scenario pertaining to issues of global relevance like global warming, pandemics and techno-stress. He discussed how resilience plays a vital role in overcoming these challenges, yet, issues like the vast treatment gap in India makes it difficult to meet the requirements for uplifting the mental health of the masses. Following this riveting presentation, Prof. Vandana Sharma took the podium to talk on the topic, “Cognition, Emotions and Wellbeing”. She spoke on the factors like character strength, positive emotions and resilience that contribute in improving mental health. She also spoke of the challenges to mental health that have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic and the lasting effects of this that are yet to be tackled.

The last presenter of this session, Dr. Manu Arora spoke on the title, “Challenges in Post-Pandemic World: A Mental Health Perspective”, sharing the issues of mental health that are posed by the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The session was concluded by an engaging interaction between the eminent speakers and the audience.

A panel discussion on the topic “Mental health and wellbeing being: an integral component of holistic health” was held post lunch. Mr. Hilal Bhat,  Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF India, Dr. Rakesh Sharma,  Ms Ortho, Neramya Hospital, and Ms Aprajita Slathia, Child and Adolescent Psychologist,  were the panelists.The session was duly moderated by Prof. Manisha Sarup Kohli, Principal GDC Bani. The National Seminar concluded with five scientific sessions which were running simultaneously and saw paper contributions from researchers across India.

These sessions were  chaired by Prof. Jeevan Jyoti, Department of Lifelong Learning, Dr. Suvidha Khanna, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dr. Komal Nagar, The business School, Dr. Tsering Yangzom, Dept. of Economics,  Prof. Manisha Kohli, Government Degree College, Bani, Dr. Shallu Sehgal, Dept. of Economics, Dr. Shabila Wani, Govt. MAM College, Dr. Harleen, Dept. of Commerce, Dr. Pyali Arora, Govt. College for Women, Parade Ground and Dr. Pallavi Arora, ICccR & HRM, University of Jammu.

The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Sarita Sood, Department of Psychology, University of Jammu, who was also the master of ceremonies for the occasion. Among others, Prof. Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar, University of Jammu, Prof. Prakash Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof. Sucheta Pathania, Prof Parmil Kumar, Prof Renu Nanda, Dr Shashi Prabha, Mr Rakesh Sharma, IMFA, Dr. Hina S. Abrol, Dr. Sadaf Shah, Dr. Ravinder Singh, Dr. Garima Gupta, Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana and Dr Rashid Manhaswere also present at the event.

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