Fortis Memorial Research Institute hosts the ‘PSYCH-ED 2019’ Zonal Finals
Gurgaon: Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon organized the zonal finals for the 4th edition of its national psychology quiz program ‘PSYCH-ED 2019’ today. 12 schools have qualified for entry into the national finals.
Psych-ED, the national level annual psychology quiz by for school students organized by Fortis Healthcare, saw a participation of more than 4000 teams from 700 schools in its 4th edition held earlier today. As the online round of Psych-ED went live, more than 10,000 participants from over 200 cities across India participated in the quiz simultaneously. The quiz is designed for students from Class XI & XII, aiming to test their knowledge of Psychology and its concepts.
The quiz was conceptualized and executed under the aegis of Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare Limited. The objective of the quiz is to impart learning while ensuring that the subject remains engaging and fun for the students. The initiative is supported by GD Goenka University, Project CACA, Gracia Raina Foundation, Rupa Publications, Intex, Skybags and Gaana.
The schools that qualified for the Zonal Finals were Delhi Public School from Patna, South City International School Kolkata, Delhi Public School from Varanasi, La Martiniere for Boys, Shri Shikshayatan School, Christ Church Girls Senior Secondary School from Jabalpur, La Martiniere for Girls, D.A.V. Model School from IIT Kharagpur, D.P. Public School from Prayagraj, Sunbeam School from Varuna and Sunbeam School from Lahartara.
The initiative was supported by Ms. Richa Debgupta, VP-Operations, Fortis Healthcare, and Dr. Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, Fortis Memorial Research Insititute.
Speaking on this unique initiative, Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences at Fortis Healthcare said, “The quiz presents students with the opportunity to hone their ability in objectively creating a juxtaposition between theory and practicality. We will be using testing tools such as crosswords, audio-visual elements, buzzer rounds and rapid fires. The quiz will challenge teams to step outside their comfort zones and dig deep into their knowledge and
understanding of the human mind. The purpose of our efforts is to advocate for a much larger cause – sensitization of the masses with respect to good mental health. In this perilous time, where suicides and mental health illnesses are at the forefront of India’s healthcare crisis – it is important to make people aware. As professionals in this field, we need to give these tabooed and stigmatised issues a platform on which they can be showcased without any filters.”
Ms Richa Debgupta, Vice President, Operations, Fortis Healthcare said, “PSYCH-ED is our endeavor to equip and enrich young minds, as we believe that great minds build a great nation. We hope to reach out too many more young minds in the next season. It is one of the most unique initiative from Fortis mental health team. It will help give a fillip to the interest among students to study more psychology and mental health. As a country, there is a great need of mental health professionals in the country. Such endeavors definitely encourage students to look at psychologist as a profession to opt.”
Rimjhim Jairath, Teacher and Mentor, Fortis Memorial Research Institute shared her experience, “Quiz was very challenging, and it pushed the kids to explore different concepts beyond the course books. Overall it was a very good experience for us, it was a pleasure to participate in such an exciting quiz. This is very innovative and unorthodox way to provide students with a platform to learn more about psychology, and we will give our vest and will make Kolkata proud in final round at Delhi.”
Dr. Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, Fortis Memorial Research Institute felicitated the winners. On the occasion, she said, “Our region still has a long way to go as far as education about mental health is concerned and what better way that engaging the young minds through a psychology quiz competition! Not only does it help students understand the basic concepts of psychology, it also helps them gain out-of-the-book insight on this much tabooed subject. The response this year has been extremely encouraging and we hope to reach out too many younger minds in the next season. Our best wishes for the winners of the zonal final rounds hope they will make us proud in national final.”