MENTAL HEALTH DAY CELEBRATIONS : A REPORT FROM BARODA

 

Day & Date: Friday, 10th October, 2014

Venue: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, M.S. University of Baroda

Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Department of Psychology at M.S. University of Baroda celebrated the World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2014 with an aim to spread awareness among the population regarding mental health. The theme of this year’s mental health day celebrations as decided by the WHO was “Living with Schizophrenia” which focuses on the main population who live with schizophrenia as well as the lives of the people around them like the family members and the carers.

The Department of Psychology took the initiative of spreading awareness and demystifying the illness by conducted flash mobs and street plays prior to 10TH October based on the theme. The response received was exciting as the Counselling Centre in the department received various calls asking for help and appointments as, before this initiative they did not know whom to approach for guidance.

On 10th October 2014 various events were held in the department to sensitize the people towards mental disorders and the people living with them. The occasion was graced by Prof. P.S. Choondawat- Dean Faculty of Arts; Prof. R.G. Kothari, Dean Faculty of Education and Psychology; Ms. Jamila Firdaus, clinical psychologist; and Ms. MadulikaBurman, Head of Corporate Communications, ONGC.

The events conducted in the department wereTalent Show where around 50 specially abled children performed, danced and sang and were appreciated and applauded; Drawing competition wherein students from different schools in Baroda projected their perception of mental health on paper and were awarded with certificate of merit. Next was the psychological testing in which 17 various psychological tests ranging from IQ Test to Personality Test were conducted and on-spot results were given out to the clients; and lastly Movie Screening where the movie “15 Park Avenue” was showcased relating to the theme.

The students from the department also made a video to end stigma and discrimination by showcasing messages written on hands. The link of the video is http://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=710016769053572.

Another video made by the students had an interview with the Superintendent of Hospital for Mental Health, Dr. Rakesh Shah. Various information regarding symptoms of Schizophrenia, treatment options, [laces where treatment is available, rehabilitation options, insurance for mental illness, provisions made by the government for mental illness as well as Disability certification and the important role of Psychologists and Social Workers were discussed in the interview. The link of the interview is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGubwcxwo7lcqwEZX49Wnvw .

The students enthusiastically participated to make the event a success and to fight stigma and raise mental illness awareness.

Contributor: Ms Parisha Jijna

On behalf of the students