Activity : Community outreach session Topic : Mental wellbeing in times of Covid

Activity          :           Community outreach session

Topic              :           Mental wellbeing in times of Covid

Date               :           16^th March 2021

Time               :           12:00 - 01:00 pm

Venue            :           FM Radio station, IIIM

The department of psychology and Counselling and Career Development Centre, IIS University (Deemed to be university, Jaipur), organised a community outreach programme on Mental wellbeing in times of Covid. The speaker of the session were Prof B.P Mishra ,Head, Dept. of Clinical psychology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital,Ludhiyana,Punjab and Dr. ranjit Kumar, Associate prof. Mansik arogyashala, Gwalior. The session started on the note that mental health not only affects physical health but also one’s biopsychosocial area of well-being. The professor talked about various signs and symptoms that the people across the world are facing.  Also how the journey escalates from feeling of grief to now in the crisis of half hearted acceptance and depression. The symptoms were discussed according to their severity and in accordance to the stages of life i.e. adulthood, youth and childhood. Further information about people who are at major risk during the pandemic was given. Professor ascertained there is no right way to how one should respond to stress but it’s important to validate one’s own feelings, keeping a note of eustress which helps achieve goals.

It was also pointed out that one can manage the negative thoughts by focusing, practicing mindfulness, breathing exercise and yoga. The most crucial sentence of the session was one must practice social distancing and not emotional distancing'.  So rather than pondering and isolating self, a positive and effective approach would enable one to spend quality time with loved ones. Maintaining a daily routine to best of one’s capabilities enables work efficiency. It was also brought to notice that one should set a limit for the intake of news and avoid spreading fake news. It is essential one should resist the urge to know all about whereabouts of disease, as it would only increase the anxiety and pessimistic view about future. Resulting in faulty and negative outlook about the life, even though the situation around has disturbed the routine but it also have given us the opportunity to connect to the people around with whom one has lost touch. Also communicating and sharing concerns, feelings, apprehensions time to time with loved and dear ones boosts up our mental health. One should set up small, specific and achievable goals for everyday and should not feel demotivated if one is unable to reach the set goal but keep trying till achieve it. Also working in moderation have shown great results in reaching out a set goal as working during the time one feels more energetic provides with an effective results.

It was also brought up to the notice that not only the adults but the children are the silent sufferers as they are not able to explain their plight. It is important to plan some interacting modes with them. Playing and acquainting children with information needed to know and not ignoring their questions. It was conveyed that people who have severe distress symptoms or lack the support system should take help from the mental health professionals and that there is no shame in seeking professional help. Also one should not self-diagnose.