East West University organizes webinar celebrating World Mental Health Day 2020
Oct 11, 2020
On 10th October 2020, The Department of Social Relations, East West University (EWU) hosted a webinar to mark the celebration of World Mental Health Day 2020. The theme of this year’s day was ‘Mental Health for All – Greater Investment – Greater Access’. The program also cherished the centennial birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The guest speaker of the webinar Dr. Chathurika Kannangara, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Education and Psychology, University of Bolton, UK, in her interactive webinar session shared her views on the role of ‘Positive Psychology’ in mental health counseling. She drew on her own experiences as a mental health practitioner and discussed the application of renowned psychologist Martin Seligman’s (PERMA) framework comprising of Positive emotions, Engagement, Positive relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment) to improve our wellbeing and mental health.
The in-house speaker Rubayat Kabir, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Relations, EWU, in her dazzling webinar session discussed specifically on the significance of increasing investment in mental health for Bangladesh as the share of GDP given to healthcare has been consistently low and least prioritized in comparison to many South West and Southeast Asian countries.
The webinar was chaired by Dr. Md. Mobarak Hossain Khan, Professor and Chairperson, Department of Social Relations, EWU. In his talk he explored the significance of the background on this year’s theme ‘Mental Health for All – Greater Investment – Greater Access’. He emphasized why investing in mental health is important now more than ever before for achieving sustainable development. He also conveyed vote of thanks to all the participants.
Dr. Rafiqul Huda Chaudhury, Chairperson, East West University Center for Research and Training; Advisor & Honorary Professor, Master of Population, Reproductive Health, Gender and Development (MPRHGD), Department of Social Relations, EWU, presided over the webinar and made the concluding remarks. He reiterated the need for advocacy and research on mental health in Bangladesh which in his view remains an area that has been long been neglected.
