World Mental Health Day observed
ALIGARH : The World Mental Health Day-related observational programmes continued at the Aligarh Muslim University, to spread awareness among students and other concerned people about how to manage the stresses of life and keep oneself protected against depression and psychological disorders.
The Department of Social Work, in collaboration with the SOCH NGO and Kids Island Senior Secondary School, Jamalpur organized an interactive programme. The events included a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the causes of mental stress in students and suggested remedies to cope with academic pressure, social isolation, loneliness, financial concerns, bullying and lack of support.
The students were urged to adopt various ways to keep themselves mentally fit, such as limiting screen time, meditation and exercise, avoiding self-criticism, mindfulness and relaxation, joining supportive groups, self-care routine and engaging in artistic works.
An activity session, titled “I am interesting” and “One word about myself”, was also held urging the participants to write about their interests and express themselves in one word on the podium.
During an interaction session, students were asked to give their feedback and share a positive personality trait about themselves.
The event was presided over by Prof. Naseem Ahmad Khan, Chairperson, Department of Social Work. Dr Mohd Tahir, Dr QurratulAein Ali, Dr Mohd Arif Khan and Dr Shyna Saif attended the event.
Mr Ahmad Masih Siddiqui, Director, Kids Island Senior Secondary School provided the logistics.
Meanwhile, the Training and Placement Office (General), in collaboration with the Talent Magma, organized a panel discussion and interactive session to sensitize students about the importance of mental health and its impact on their personal and professional lives.
The panel, comprising eminent speakers, Dr Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC HRDC; Dr Deoshree Akhouri, Department of Psychiatry; Dr Heena Parveen, Department of Psychology; Mr Saad Hameed and Dr Muzammil Mushtaq, Assistant TPO, discussed various aspects of Mental Health and stressed the need to make the remedies easily accessible to the students. They urged the students to come forward and share their doubts, queries and problems with their peers, teachers and family members and never fall prey to emotional traumas causing depression and self-affliction.
The students were engaged in a group activity on Positive Mental Health, followed by an interactive and query-handling session with the panellists.
Muhammad Kaif Siddiqui, Founder, Talent Magma extended a vote of thanks.