Pertinent discussion on “Youth Mental Health: Current Challenges and Ways Forward”

The Department of Psychology, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh have organized a Panel Discussion on “Youth Mental Health: Current Challenges and Ways Forward”. Convened by Dr Salome Divya Joseph, Dr Janhavi Devdutt, and Ms Ayesha Parveen Haroon, the discussion will be held on March 24, 2021, at 2 PM. Prof V S Rao, Vice-Chancellor, will initiate the pertinent conversation and welcome the invited guests to the panel.

Prof Manoj K Sharma, Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences(NIMHANS), Bangalore, will alarm the participants on “Pathways of Technology Addiction”. A kind of behavioural addiction, Technology Addiction frequently impacts the teens and youth by impeding their regular tasks, and social life. Thus, recognizing the consequences of their addiction becomes necessary.

Advancing with the Panel Discussion, Ms Ashwini N V, Founder- Director, Muktha Foundation, Bangalore, will speak on “Interpersonal Violence & Mental Health”. Exposure to violence make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Promoting psychological well-being, Ms Ashwini will elaborately talk about the ways of protecting the teens from such risks.

The grim issue of “Self-harm Behaviours in Youth” will be addressed by Dr Nupur Singhal, Chief Clinical Psychologist, The Grey Circle, Noida. Underlying concerns including anxiety, tension, loneliness, and self-hatred often compels young individuals to harm themselves. Children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities are also at risk. Dr Nupur will alert the audience to protect the young adults from falling prey to this condition.

Further, Prof Poonam Devdutt, Director, Centre for Psychology and Human Behaviour, Shobit University, Meerut, will touch upon the significance of “Life Skill Education for Promoting Mental Health”. She will be stating the significance of imparting life skills education to the students with the intention of focusing on the needs of young individuals, motivating them, and enhancing their social and self-management skills.

Concluding the discussion, Prof A Kalam, Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS), SRM University-AP will express gratitude to the guests as well as the audience for addressing the stigmatic concerns pertaining to the mental health of the otherwise vibrant youth.