The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu celebrated World Mental Health Day 2023 with an insightful and informative event designed to enhance knowledge, raise awareness and inspire actions that promote and safeguard mental health as a universal human right. This event, organised by the Counseling Services at IIT Jammu, featured a guest talk on "Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion" at the Jagti Campus.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished speakers, Prof Noam Shpancer and Dr. Ragul Ganesh, who shared their expertise and perspectives on fostering resilient mental health. The distinguished guests captivated the audience with their profound insights into the world of mental health. Prof Noam Shpancer, a renowned professor of Psychology who received his PhD at Purdue University, specialises in clinical research and developmental psychology, with a particular focus on the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders.
During his address, Prof Shpancer emphasised three critical points: the significance of mental health, the equivalence of psychological pain and physical pain and the profound impact of loneliness on physical health, including decreased immune function. He stressed the connection between mental disorders such as depression and anxiety and their consequences, highlighting that these issues are not only detrimental to an individual's well-being but also result in 12 billion lost days in the USA and trillions of lost dollars linked to physical health conditions.
Dr. Ragul Ganesh, an Assistant Professor at AIIMS Jammu, is an expert in Substance Addiction, Smartphone Addiction, Neurotic and Psychotic Disorders and Tele-Psychiatry. In his engaging talk, Dr. Ganesh encouraged the audience to become advocates for mental health. He cited examples of prominent figures, including Ben Stokes, Glen Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Michael Phelps, JK Rowling and Buzz Aldrin, who have openly discussed their mental health challenges.
Dr. Ganesh emphasised the need to address mental health concerns to unlock one's full potential and prioritised the importance of valuing sleep. The event also featured an interactive Q&A session where attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and further deepen their understanding of mental health issues. During the event, Dr. Subhasis Bhattacharjee, Associate Dean of Student Advising, presented a token of appreciation to Prof Shpancer and Dr. Ganesh in the form of a souvenir from IIT Jammu.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Ms. Himanshi Singh, Institute Counselor and a clinical psychologist by profession, setting a positive tone for the enlightening discussions that followed. IIT Jammu remains dedicated to fostering a culture that recognises the significance of mental health and continues to provide resources and support to its community in this endeavour. The institution firmly believes that good mental health is not only a personal benefit but also a fundamental pillar in achieving individual and collective success.