Jamia Millia Islamia organises Living with the times …

As a part of series of health awareness lectures on Covid-19 Pandemic, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized yet another e-lecture on Living with the times: Managing mental health during Covid-19 on June 11, 2021, through the Cisco-Webex platform.

The guest speakers for the programme were Dr Ashok Kumar Jainer, MBBS, MD Psychiatry (K.G.M.C, Lucknow), MRC Psych, U.K, FRC Psych, U.K, Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS, U.K and Ms Meena Arora Ex-Squadron Leader, Certified Life coach, NLP (Neuro linguistics Programming) practitioner & trainer and a Clinical Psychologist.

As a tradition of JMI, the programme commenced with seeking the blessing from the Almighty by rendition of verses from the Holy Quran by Dr Mohd Saleem, Associate Professor, Pathology.

Prof Najma Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor, JMI was the Chief Guest for the programme. Addressing the gathering, Prof Akhtar emphasized covid-appropriate behaviour (mask, sanitizer and social distancing) is the key to control the pandemic, the disregard of which a few months ago by the public lead to the emergence of the second wave.

She said Covids deadly second wave sparked off a visible yet hidden/silent outbreak of- fear-demic- the fear amidst the people are of dying, losing their loved ones, being alone, losing their jobsanxieties that add a new dimension of mental-health issues to the ongoing crisis. Other mental health issues such as helplessness, panic, grief and guilt, and post-traumatic stress disorders are also on rise.

She told the audience about the universities initiatives to cope with the mental stress during the pandemic by opening a dedicated cell to look after mental health last year in the first wave to help the students and staff to manage the anxiety and depression of the lockdown.

She also informed the success of the Covid-19 Vaccination camps for age groups above 45 and assured the possible arrangements for younger age groups soon.

Then, Prof (Dr) Sanjay Singh, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, JMI and the organizing chairperson of the programme, welcomed and introduced both the speakers to the audience. He also announced the live broadcast of the programme on Radio Jamia 90.4 FM and the podcast will be uploaded on Radio Jamia app available on Google Play Store, to be seen anytime, and anywhere.

Dr Ashok Jainer began with how Covid has triggered the rising mental health issues, stress and personality changes, with younger adults more likely to report these symptoms. Focussing on how to deal with irrational fear/belief and anxiety, he gave the 4 magic bullets: time of Covid treatment; availability of correct life-saving information and treatment; evidence-based Uniform protocol; and centralised sources of information. He also emphasized on 3 Ds of Covid treatment: right Drug in right Dose for right Duration.

Meena Arora focussed on the psychological aspects such as the warning/red signs of the need for psychological help/ counselling. She gave important and precise tips to take care of yourself such as sleep, break from social media content, preventive measures, carefree and creative activities and most importantly exercise, meditation and family time. Throughout the speakers also highlighted Vaccination as the key to reduce the future burden of the disease.

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Jamia Millia Islamia organises Living with the times ...