World Mental Health Day 2019
The Department of Psychology, Nagaland University, observed World Mental Health Day,2019, by organizing various events over a ten day period. From 1st to 9th October, the faculty of the department visited the academic departments under Kohima Campus, Nagaland University , and delivered talks on mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Then on the 10th of October, essay and poster competitions were held for which students from different departments of the university participated. The essay competition was on the topic,” Social Media and Self Image”. Yimsor Imchen, KhrieneilhingK.Hangsing, and Moiyom K. Konyak bagged the first , second and third prizes respectively. Poster competition was on the theme,” Suicide is Preventable” and the first ,second and third positions were awarded to Tokatoli Achumi, Tshemhelo-u Tsuzuh and T.Toihon Konyak respectively. A special feature of the event was Psychological Testing which was also held on the 10th of October in the premises of the Department of Psychology . A great number of students from various departments of the university sat for tests such as personality, aptitude, depression , anxiety, and life satisfaction .
In the closing ceremony, Mr. Hovisuto Khieya, Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty) of the department gave a talk on working towards suicide prevention. He stressed on the importance of talking about suicide at the interpersonal as well as at the societal level and on removing stigma that acts as barriers to suicide prevention. Professor Nigamananda Das, Head I/C of the Department of Psychology and Dean, School of Humanities and Education, Nagaland University, exhorted the student community on learning skills that would enable them to reach out and provide professional support to individuals in need of psychological services and also act as active agents for the promotion of mental health in the community at large.
The World Mental Health Day is held every year on the 10th of October to create and raise awareness about mental health and mental health related issues. At the department of Psychology , Nagaland University , this day is always marked with a special event. Mental Health Promotion and Prevention of Suicide was the theme with which this year’s World Mental Health Day was observed in the department and the program largely targeted the student community.
