By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 10 Oct: A global awareness campaign was conducted at Himalayan Hospital, Jollygrant, on World Mental Health Day. As part of this, a free mental health check-up camp was organised, benefiting 67 patients who were examined and counselled.
On Thursday, at the free mental health check-up camp organised by the Clinical Psychology Department of Himalayan Hospital, Dr Shahana Zahra, Mehzabeen, Rashmi Rekha Sheel, Nitika Kimothi and Dr Malini Srivastava listened to the mental health issues of around 67 patients and provided them with free counselling.
During this event, students of MSc in Yoga Science – Shailesh, Anmol, Swati, Anika, and Abhishek -helped the patients practice relaxation and breathing exercises based on the Himalayan tradition as taught by the institute’s founder, Dr Swami Rama.
Department Head Dr Malini Srivastava underlined that there has been a rapid increase in mental health problems worldwide. People of all ages are facing poor mental health in some form, especially at the workplace. She emphasised that it’s time to reconsider how to perceive life. “We have forgotten that work is just one part of our life. It is important to maintain a balance between work and other aspects of life, and this should not be brushed aside,” she asserted.
Dr Nitika Kimothi shared her thoughts on the importance of prioritising mental health at the workplace. The programme’s coordinators Rekha, Ameesha, and PhD scholar Ruhi Jain also provided their support.
This apart, a discussion on mental health was organised by the Psychiatry Department, wherein Dr Priyaranjan Avinash informed the attendees about improving mental health in the workplace, as it can impact both the employees and the employers.
Appalling working environments – including discrimination and inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity – pose grave risk to mental health.
