IBCS Organises Workshop on Mental Health and De-Addiction

The rising concerns of substance use and its psychological impact was discussed at a workshop on ‘Mental Health’ organised at the Institute of Business and Computer Studies (IBCS), Faculty of Management Sciences of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA), on Monday.

The first session on the subject ‘Awareness on De-addiction and Mental Health’ was conducted by Prof. (Dr.) Surjeet Sahoo, Head of the post-graduate department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, who encouraged the participants to adopt healthy coping strategies and community based support systems to deal with the problem.

Dr. Hrinmaya Mohapatra, Assistant Professor in the department of Psychiatry of IMS and SUM Hospital, spoke on ‘Myths vs. Facts: Mental Illness’ in the second session. He clarified common misconceptions about mental health disorders while urging the participants to replace judgment with empathy and understanding.

Prof. Ayasa Kanta Mohanty, Dean, IBCS, delivered the welcome address while Prof. Manoranjan Dash, Associate Dean, was the Keynote speaker. Prof. Dash emphasized on the importance of mental health awareness and the need to break the stigma associated with seeking help to get over the problem.

The speeches were followed by an engaging interactive session. The program was coordinated by Dr. Preeti Y. Sadangi.