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GPF India’s Commitment To Enhancing Mental Health

Writer's picture: GPF IndiaGPF India

Updated: Oct 29, 2024

World Mental Health Day 2024: Focusing on Mental Health at the Workplace 

-by Shaivya Pathak & Ratna Singh

On October 10, 2024, a significant webinar was organized to observe World Mental Health Day, focusing on this year’s theme: Mental Health at the Workplace. The event shed light on the growing need for mental health awareness and support in professional environments, where stress, anxiety, and burnout are common issues affecting employees worldwide. 

 

The webinar kicked off with an introduction to World Mental Health Day and the theme of the webinar, “Mental Health at Workplace,” by the moderator, Ms. Shaivya Pathak. She also gave tribute to the great philanthropist Lt. Shri Ratan Naval Tata by mentioning his quote relevant to the occasion: “None can destroy iron, but its own rust can; Likewise, none can destroy a person but their own mindset can”. Following this, Dr. T. P. Sasikumar, Founder and Chairman of Shiksha-JNAANAM, and Dr. TPS-SHIKSHA, and Former Deputy Director at the Directorate General of Security, was invited to deliver the keynote address. 

Keynote Address: 

In his address, Dr. T. P. highlighted that the Bhartiya Shastra tradition emphasizes fivefold development: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. He stated that a permanent solution to mental health issues can be found in the spiritual dimension. Dr. T. P. provided a comprehensive philosophical exploration of mental health in the workplace, discussing its underlying causes and proposing ethical and practical solutions to the problem. 

 

 Panel Discussion: 

Following the keynote, a thought-provoking panel discussion was held, featuring a group of renowned professionals who brought diverse perspectives to the conversation on mental health. The panel included: 

 

- Dr. Rekha Udit, Founder and Chairperson of the Women International Network focused on the importance of leadership in the workplace. She asserted that mental health is a collective responsibility that can be effectively addressed through practical approaches, including open conversations free from stigma, fostering a culture of support, providing mental health training, offering feedback and assistance, promoting work-life balance, encouraging peer support, and implementing technological solutions. 

 

- Dr. Vandana Gambhir, a Professor of Psychology at Lakshmibai College, DU, as well as a psychometrician, career counsellor, and behavioural trainer, discussed the importance of learning skills and strategies to handle difficult individuals and improve mental health. She emphasized that the key factor affecting mental health is relationships. She outlined the characteristics of challenging individuals and suggested addressing these situations with controlled emotional responses and KISS talk— “Keep It Short and Simple.” 


- Dr. Vandana Guliya, Founder of Cyber Sharp and a leading cyber safety evangelist, highlighted the unprecedented mental health challenges faced by today's generation due to a competitive environment and a lack of collaborative learning. Advocating for self-education, self-care, mentorship, and psych profiling in organizations, she also promoted women’s leadership. Additionally, she urged young people to foster connections while addressing the negative impact of increased screen time. Through practical strategies and real-life examples, she provided valuable insights into tackling mental health issues. 

 

- Dr. Jaya Sukul, Clinical Psychologist, Founder of ProGarten, India and Headspace Healing, and HOD at QRG Medicare, emphasized the need to improve verbiage around these terms where stress is seen as a potential catalyst for growth and distress as a negative experience.  Providing a reality check, she urged us to assess whether we are in a toxic environment or becoming toxic ourselves, highlighting the importance of exiting harmful situations. She shared that a learning environment is essential from childhood for overcoming challenges, where work should not be seen merely as transactional. She stressed that self-inspection is crucial for learning. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of breath, micromanaging, and the mind-body connection in navigating stress effectively. 

 

- Ms. Vijayanka Shah, Founder of VIDEH Wellness Centre, Psychologist, and Therapeutic Yoga Consultant, shared insights on the growing complexity of work and its impact on mental health, emphasizing the need for self-awareness in connecting personal values with professional roles. She addressed the mind-body connection, noting how stress manifests as physical health issues. Dr. Vijayanka highlighted the importance of balance between work and personal life, along with strategies for managing stress and improving well-being. Finally, she advocated for a holistic approach to mental health that considers the social, emotional, and physical aspects of individuals' lives. 

 

The panel discussion was incredibly engaging and thought-provoking, offering deep insights that challenged conventional perspectives. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of practical strategies for personal and professional growth. 


The Path Forward 

 

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which Ms. Amisha posed the question of whether stress is beneficial. Dr. T. P. Sasikumar responded by recalling the earlier discussion, noting that stress can be a positive factor while distress is harmful. He emphasised the connection between physical health and mental well-being, highlighting that breath control is essential for managing stress effectively. Dr. Jaya added that we should approach stressful situations with a mindset focused on productivity, advocating for doing more and thinking less. Ms. Vandna Guliya provided examples of how stressful situations can foster personal growth and learning, along with the importance of voicing concerns in negative environments. Dr. Rekha concluded by encouraging us to remain optimistic and urging us to analyse and address stressful situations constructively rather than stepping back or quitting. 

The second question came from an online participant on YouTube who asked how to address the increasingly transactional relationships that characterize adult life in a competitive world filled with struggles and a lack of confidence. Dr. Jaya responded by emphasising that, while we may encounter jobs or situations that make us uncomfortable, we should view these as stepping stones rather than as measures of our worth. She noted that aligning our values with our experiences helps build resilience, enabling us to navigate challenges more effectively. 

 

Ms. Shaivya concluded the talk by expressing gratitude for the speakers and their valuable insights on mental health, emphasising collaboration and self-awareness. Participants were encouraged to capture the moment with a group photo and reminded to revisit the discussion via the YouTube live recording of the webinar. At last, remembering the tagline 'When the mind matters, it works better,' the webinar was successfully wrapped up. 


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