Webinar on promoting mental health during COVID-19
Date : June 2, 2020 , Rajiv Gandhi University , Doimukh , Arunachal

Webinar on promoting mental health during COVID-19

The department of Psychology in collaboration with Department of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University has inaugurated today a “Two Day National Webinar on Promoting Mental Health During COVID – 19 Crisis” scheduled for 2 and 3 June, 2020.

The inaugural function on the first day was graced by honourable Vice chancellor of RGU Prof. Saket Kuswaha in-absentia through a recorded video message, Pro-VC Prof. Amitava Mitra, Registar Prof. Tomo Riba, Prof. Kesang Degi, HoD, Education, Dr. Kaushalendra Pratap Singh, HoD i/c Psychology and Webinar Co-ordinator Dr. Kakali Goswami.

Honourable Vice Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha during his inaugural address stressed on addressing the prominent crisis faced by the general public and students in particular due to the ongoing pandemic with the dominant emotions being anger and frustration.

He stressed on taking this challenge as an opportunity and called upon preparing contingent plans for the new changes and take advantage of the new technologies for the purpose of being well informed and well connected with one another.

He emphasized on Mahatma Gandhi for being the change we want to see in others further stressing that change is the only thing that remains constant and hence adaptation should be the new normal.

Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Amitava Mitra also highlighted on taking precautionary measures for optimum physical health and emphasised on mental well being as crucial for building good physical immunity, resilience and promoting a healthy mind and body .

Registrar Prof Tomo Riba also advised on adapting to the new change and said that we have the ability to rapidly adapt to new environment and cope with new challenges. Prof. Riba stressed on inherent adapative nature of human beings and called upon mechanisms to strengthen the same.

The welcome address was delivered by Prof Kesang Degi, HoD Education & coordinator of department of psychology, RGU. She stressed on the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health even in this time of crisis as a necessary pre-requisite for well-being.

Dr. Kakali Goswami, the coordinator of the webinar highlighted that the consequential uncertainty have caused distress to all during the ongoing pandemic, hence there is a dire need for awareness, assistance and providing help to those in need.

Dr. Kaushalendra Pratap Singh, HoD (in-charge) Psychology, while proposing Vote of thanks expressed sincere gratitudes towards the Vice chancellor of RGU Prof. Saket Kuswaha, Pro vice chancellor Prof. Amitava Mitra, Registar Prof.

Tomo Riba, HoD Education, Prof. Kesang Degi for their continuous supports and motivations while the young team of organizers was congratulated for conceptualizing a context specific webinar on protecting and promoting mental health during the unprecedented COVID crisis.

Webinar Co-coordinator Ms. Leeyir Ete served as Master of ceremony while other two cocordinators Ms. Jomyir Bagra and Ms. Yuma Narah served for reporting and coordination.

First technical session of the day was delivered by Dr. Rita Rani Talukdar, Associate Professor of Gauhati University on Emotional Well Being during and after Covid-19 pandemic and While second session was delivered by Dr. Nesmita Das, student counsellor IIT Guwahati who spoke on Building resilience among students seeking help beyond self care.

A total of 250 participants attended the event through Google Meet which included faculty members of various departments of RGU and participants representing nearly 20 states of the country.