Mental Health Day Celebrated By The Department Of Psychology

The Department of Psychology at the University of Jammu celebrated World Mental Health Day today. World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10^th October every year. It is important to address mental health challenges in professional environments. The events were organized under the esteemed guidance of the Head of the Department and Dean Social Sciences, Prof. Sangita Gupta; brought together faculty, scholars, and students of the department.

In the morning an online interactive session on ‘Mental wellbeing’ was organized. Ms. Keshav Sharma, was the resource person who is a renowned psycho-oncologist Grief therapist and Lead Counselling Services. Prof. Gupta extended a warm welcome to Ms. Keshav Sharma, whose expertise in psycho-oncology is widely recognized, and expressed her gratitude for her participation in this important discussion. In her remarks, Prof. Gupta underscored the significance of mental well-being in enhancing productivity and overall job satisfaction. She stressed the need for organizations to foster supportive work environments and integrate mental health practices as part of their professional culture.

During the interactive session Ms. Keshav Sharma, shared insights on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, managing stress, and creating mental health awareness in the workplace. She encouraged participants to recognize the signs of mental health issues and adopt coping strategies that could help an individual thrive both personally and professionally. Further she mentioned of the "baggage" we often carry in life that contributes to anxiety and depression. She explained how we tend to hold onto emotional burdens, past experiences, and unnecessary stressors that weigh us down mentally and emotionally, often leading to conditions like anxiety and depression. For instance, unresolved conflicts at home or work can fester, causing a cycle of worry that affects mental health. Emphasizing on the World Health Organization's (WHO’s) definition of mental health, she said that it is not merely the absence of mental disorders but a state of well-being where individuals realize their potential, cope with normal stresses, and contribute to their communities.

A lot of facts were shared by the resource person Ms. Sharma. She highlighted the concerning statistics, stating that 14% of India's population suffers from various mental health disorders. She further elaborated on the economic losses attributed to mental health conditions, which cost billions annually due to reduced productivity and increased healthcare expenditure. She addressed the challenges faced by individuals due to the stigma surrounding mental health, which discourages people from seeking help, leading to worsening of conditions.

Further, Ms. Sharma discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues globally, isolating individuals and increasing stress, anxiety, and depression rates. She stressed the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health and encouraged open conversations in society and workplaces. Ms. Sharma also conducted some activities aimed at helping participants recognize emotional baggage and provided practical strategies for managing stress and building resilience. These activities were designed to help individuals develop skills to manage their lives more effectively, promoting mental wellness.

The discussion was followed by an engaging Q&A session where students, scholars and faculty actively participated, seeking advice and sharing their experiences related to mental wellbeing. In her concluding remarks, Ms. Sharma made a call to action, urging everyone to prioritize mental health, seek help as and when needed, and support others in creating a mentally healthy community.

The session ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sarita Sood, Assistant Professor Department of Psychology. Also she emphasized the importance of continued mental health advocacy and education within the department and beyond. The session was coordinated by Dr. Ankita Choudhary.

In the afternoon, the students of the Department of Psychology performed a Nukkad Natak (street play) near the Central Library University of Jammu. Through their powerful performance, they highlighted the mental health issues faced by people in their day to day lives particularly the youngsters. They raised an awareness about the importance of mental well-being. The Natak addressed common struggles, offering insights on how to handle mental health challenges. The performers emphasized on the need to break the stigma often associated with the disorders and reluctance in seeking help. A clear message was put across that the initiative aimed to foster a supportive environment, encouraging open dialogue about mental health within the community must be taken. A huge number of students gathered to see the Nukkad Natak.

The Head of the Department, Prof. Sangita Gupta appreciated the students for their performance of the Nukkad Natak on Mental Health Day. The events highlighted the Psychology Department's commitment to promoting mental health awareness and fostering a supportive community for both its staff and students. All the students, scholars and the staff of the Department of Psychology were present during the performance of  Nukkad Natak.