The Department of Psychology celebrated World Mental Health Day on 11th Oct 2021 with an interactive webinar on “Mental Health In An Unequal World” from 9. 30 a.m to 10.30 a.m through Google Meet platform. The resource person for the webinar was Dr Shwetha T S, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology, Manipal College of Health Professions.
The overall objective of the webinar was to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Dr Shwetha elaborated on how the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the mental health situation in the world by increasing new cases of mental health conditions and worsening pre-existing ones. The pandemic has also produced significant disruptions to services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders. Populations that have historically faced a higher burden of mental health conditions and reduced access to treatment are being disproportionately affected by the mental health impacts of pandemic. She therefore stressed the importance of making mental health a reality for all. Around 180 students from UG and PG as well as 7 faculty members attended the program.
The programme was informative and encouraged the participants to take concrete actions in support of our own mental health, and to support friends and family who are struggling, also to take steps towards putting programmes for wellness.