World Mental Health Day 2019 observed at East West University (EWU) by the Department of Social Relations
Oct 10, 2019
The 10th of October is observed as the ‘World Mental Health Day’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) worldwide. This year’s theme focuses on raising awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it. Every suicide is a tragedy. Although commonly under-reported, it is estimated that close to 800 000 people take their lives each year. As much as twenty times as many may attempt suicide. The devastating impact reaches families, friends and communities. To raise awareness related to this year’s theme “Mental health promotion and suicide prevention”, the Department of Social Relations, East West University organized various events such as a seminar and poster exhibition conducted by the students on Wednesday, 09th of October, 2019 inside the campus.
To facilitate the seminar, Dr. Rafiqul Huda Chaudhury, honorary Professor and adviser of MPRHGD, Department of Social Relations; was the Chief Guest of the event. Professor Dr. Md. Mobarak Hossain Khan, Chairperson, Department of Social Relations presided over the event as Program chair. Dr. Jhunu Shamsun Nahar, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University; Ms. Rubayat Kabir, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Relations were among the other distinguished speakers of the seminar.
Dr. Jhunu Shamsun Nahar enriched the audience with an overview of Self Harm and suicide. She provided a scenario of mental health and self harm behavior among students presented from different cases and how to deal with it. Later, Ms. Rubayat Kabir in her presentation emphasized on Bullying and the mechanisms to deal with a bully and where to receive help in case of such mental health related issues.
A poster exhibition was arranged in the Wi-Fi zone of the campus in order to foster ‘Mental Health Awareness’ by the ongoing students of Introduction to Psychology (GEN205, Section 3) under the mentorship of Ms. Rubayat Kabir, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Social Relations. The topics ranged from Cyber bullying, Positive psychology, Depression and many more.
The event attracted enormous amount of participation and feedback from the Faculty members as well as the students of the University.
