By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 10: As part of the global commemoration of World Mental Health Day, SAN-KER organised a programme on its premises with Chairperson of Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW), Iamon Syiem, as the chief guest.
In her address, the MSCW chief spoke about the specific challenges women faced at the workplace in addition to that of managing their respective homes. Syiem shared her personal strategies in combating stress in her own life and was of the opinion that such programmes were necessary to raise awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination those suffering from mental health problems face.
Specialist in Psychiatry, Dr D Khonglah, introduced the topic while Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Eddie Mukhim elaborated on the theme for this year.
Clinical Psychologist, SAN-KER, Priyanka Gogoi, administered a self assessment of the stresses each of the participants faced in the past one year. The results were startling in that the majority of those attending faced significant mental health threatening stresses in the past one year. She emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and life.
Dr Anamika Upadhyay from the Art of Living organisation then spoke and demonstrated to the gathering two basic breathing exercises and how they went a long way to de-stress oneself. The attendees participated wholeheartedly.
Nursing Superintendent, Supercare Hospital, Mary B Lyngdoh, spoke about the challenges faced by health care workers in the governmental and private sectors, while Assistant Registrar, National Law University, Shillong, Joe Oliver Lyngdoh Nongbri, shared his personal experiences of working in the corporate sector and the stresses it imposed.
MLCU special event
Meanwhile at Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), a special event was observed in observance of World Mental Health Day at Herman Hall, Divine Saviour Parish, Nongthymmai.
The programme, organised by the Department of Psychology and Wellbeing in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Centre for Counselling, centered on the theme “It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.”
The event aimed to highlight the significance of mental wellbeing in professional settings and provide practical insights on addressing workplace mental health challenges. The event commenced with a welcome speech by Aliscacia M Swett, Deputy Registrar of the university, who set the tone for the day by emphasising the need for creating supportive workspaces. This was followed by a special medley performance by BSc students, adding a vibrant touch to the proceedings.
A thought-provoking discussion was led by Dr TK Kharbamon, Vice-Chancellor, and Dr George Kallingal, Clinical Psychologist, who provided valuable insights into the interconnection between spirituality, human life cycle functionality as well as their impact on the mental wellbeing in the workplace.
The final session, led by Counsellor Maryobiang Pyrtuh, focused on addressing workplace stress within the school environment, providing practical strategies for managing and reducing stress in educational settings. Each session concluded with an interactive Q&A session where attendees had the opportunity to address pressing concerns related to mental health in the workplace and explore potential solutions. The day ended on a light-hearted note with a fun dance session, encouraging attendees to unwind and promote happiness.