Department of Psychology

Mental Health Management during Covid 19

Tackling Myths and Hesitancy

PSYCHOLOGY AS A CAREER: PROSPECTS AND POSSIBILITIES

Psychological Trauma

 Down Syndrome: Psychological Aspects and the Need for Psychiatric Social Care

On 18th October 2021, Members of the Psychological Society of Aligarh Muslim University organized a webinar on the occasion of World Mental health day. The topic of the webinar was 'Coping: Exam Stress and Mental health’. The Chief Guest of this event was Professor Asma Parveen, the Chairperson of the Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University. The webinar included a discussion on how examination stress effects students and disturbs their mental state.

The event was commenced by Ms Manaal Amir Ahmad, President of the Psychological Society, AMU shedding light on stress in students’ lives and her experience of examination stress followed by some life experiences and coping methods used by other members and students. The speaker for the event, Prof. Asma Parveen was then invited to share her expert advice on management of stress among students. Her suggestions included:

• Peaceful environment
• Mind map
• One task at a time
• Set realistic goals
• Ask for help when needed 
• Time Management
• Exercise Regularly

A Question-Answer session was held at the end of the Chief Guest’s Speech.It was an engaging discussion and everyone acquired some knowledge on stress and it’s coping techniques. Closing the event vote of thanks was given by Ms Nikhat Parveen, Co-Editor of the Psychological Society.

On the occasion of “World No Tobacco Day” Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University organize an Online pledge taking ceremony on 31st May, 2021 at 01:15p.m. The Faculty Members of the department take the pledge.

The Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, observed SWACHHTA PAKHWADA (1st September – 15th September, 2021), as per the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education, New Delhi. Keeping in view the pandemic situation, virtual events were organized viz.Prose Writing Competition, Slogan Writing Competition, and Poster Making Competition; the themes for the same were - “Your Idea of „Swacchta‟”, “Forest Conservation” and “Water Conservation”, respectively. The aforementioned events were organized, under the guidance of Professor Mrs. Asma Parveen, Chairperson, Department of Psychology, A.M.U. The entries were invited till 9th September 2021.

In the Prose Writing Competition, the participants were required to submit their works written in English, Hindi or Urdu languages, by given date and within the word-limit of 200 words,. The competition was judged by Dr. Usama Rehman, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, A.M.U. The first position was secured by Ms. Sarah Kazim, while the second and third positions were awarded to Mr. Mohammad Shams Uddoha Khan and Ms. Riya Verma respectively. Mr. Amir Beg and Ms. Anshrah Naz got consolation prizes.

In The Slogan Writing Competition participants were required to submit their works any of three English, Hindi or Urdu languages. The competition was judged by Dr. Heena Parveen, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, A.M.U. The first position was held by Ms. Tafseer Kausar, while the second and third positions were secured by Mr. Amir Beg and Ms. Garima Saraswat respectively. The consolation position was given to Mr. Amaan Ansari and Ms. Ilma Athar.

For the Poster MakingCompetition, participants were asked to submit self-made original conscious awakening posters on the given theme.The competition was judged by Dr. Heena Parveen, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, A.M.U. The first position was held by Ms. Rooshil Khan, while the second and third positions were secured by Ms. Rooma Raza and Ms. Farhat Nasir respectively, while consolation position was given to Ms. Mariyam Shahid.

The competitions were open to the Students as well as the Employees, with the aim to promoting the importance of “Swacchta” and creating awareness about conservation of environment. The competitions witnessed huge participation with more than 50 entries. The results of various competitions were announced through the Department‟s webpage and E-certificates were awarded to the winners.

The Winning entries of the three competitions are attached below:

1. PROSE WRITING COMPETITION

1st Sarah Kazim

2nd Mohammed Shams Uddoha Khan

3rd Riya Verma

Consolation 1 Amir Beg

Consolation 2 Anshrah Naz

2. SLOGAN WRITING COMPETITION

1st Tafseer Kausar 2nd Aamir Beg 3rd Garima Consolation 1 Amaan Consolation 2 Illa Athar

3. POSTER MAKING COMPETITION

1st Rooshil Khan 2nd Rooma Raza 3rd Farhat Nasir Consolation Maryam Shahid

14-10-21: the psychological society AMU marked anti tobacco day today with a group discussion titled Tobacco Harm Reduction and implementation of guidelines for tobacco free educational institutions.

The event began with remarks from Ms Manaal Amir Ahmad president of the psychological society and Ms Farheen Kamal secretary who also moderated the discussion. Many students from different classes took part and a variety of excellent points were made including the importance of raising awareness of the harms of tobacco consumption and the role of the government, educational institute and individual in doing so.

After an engaging and fruitful discussion the closing remarks were provided by Ms Irtiza Farooq, president of the psychological society.

The aim of the five days long session was to impart knowledge, skills and coping techniques to participants to enable them to counter mental health problems amidst covid-19 pandemic. The lecture series were conducted from 22nd June to 26th June 2021 from 5 pm to 6 pm daily. In all, Five prominent speakers enlightened pan India participants.

On the first day Prof. Manju Agarwal, Dean student welfare, Amity University, Lucknow spoke upon the topic ‘Self help for happiness and resilience’. She had an engaging session with participants on Day one, wherein she highlighted the role of meditation and mindfulness in one‟s life. she also taught some effective techniques to counter stress and anxiety.

On day 2, Prof. Azizuddin Khan, Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Bombay, spoke on ‘Covid- 19 and Mental Health: Implications, Issues and Management’ . He highlighted various mental health issues prevalent in the current times. He emphasized on how one can overcome distress. He also highlighted the role of mental health practitioners in tackling the situation.

Dr. Athar kamal, Chief cardiologist, Varun Hospital, Aligarh spoke about the implications of Covid-19 disease on heart on Day 3. His topic was ‘Heart Health during and post Covid 19’. He apprised participants about the impact on heart during and after the disease. He also educated on various healthy practices and interventions one should be aware of in keeping the heart healthy.

Prof. Asma Parveen, Convener and Chairperson, Dept. of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh presented her highly impactful and unique topic of ‘Bereavement: Dealing with the repercussions of Pandemic’. Her presentation touched the heart of the audience with crucial case studies to elaborate and understand grief and mourning. She also highlighted various coping strategies which are found to be beneficial especially for those who lost one or both parents in the second Covid- 19 wave.

On the last day of the webinar, Prof. Roomana N. Siddiqui, Dept of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh spoke on various aspects of media specially “Infodemic” which has also triggered mental health problems. Her topic was ‘Mental Health Concerns during Covid’. To add to that she spoke about how pandemic fatigue could trigger more waves and how one needs to religiously follow the covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

In compliance to the letter dated 14^th June, 2021 from Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi addressed to Vice-Chancellor, the Department of Psychology organized an Online Webinar on “Covid Vaccine: Tackling Myths and Hesitancy” on 23^rd June, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. In this webinar Dr. Ali Jafar Abdi, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JNMCH, A.M.U., Aligarh was invited as Guest Speaker.

In observance of International Women’s Day, the Psychological Society, Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, organized two virtual events on 11th of March, 2021. The events comprised of a Round-Table Discussion on the theme of “Psychology and Women”, and a Photography Competition on the theme of “Women in Leadership”, for which entries were invited.

The Psychological Society, Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh,  organized a webinar in collaboration with EmoMatrix on the topic “Fundamentals of Creative Research”. The collaborating organization is a creative Emotion & Behaviour Psychology based organization that offers life coaching, courses and workshops, and is an epitome of excellence in providing services to promote mental health.

The Psychological Society, Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, organized a 2-day virtual workshop in collaboration with MyInnerLog, on the theme “Understanding the Significance of Research and its Processes”. The syndicating organization's mission is to provide psychological assistance to people through guidance, support, and mental health programmes and to promote mental wellness in individuals and communities. The workshop was scheduled for 26th and 27th February, 2021. It was conducted via Google Meet. The Resource Person was Dr. Aruna Patil, Associate Professor, Biostatistics, Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, Chennai.

and the Guest of Honor was Prof. Asiz Aijaz, Professor at Department of Psychology, AMU.

A Webinar On Repercussions of COVID-19 and Its Management, was Organized by Psychological Society, AMU on May 7th 2020.

An International Webinar on ‘Prevention and Management of Coronavirus Pandemic: Psychosocial Perspective’ June 6, 2020, was organized by the Department of Psychology and the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

National Workshop on Data Analytics with SPSS, for Research Scholars/Faculty was held on

The Resource person for the workshop was Dr. Susmita Halder, Amity University, Kolkata

A Symposium on 'Towards a Societally Relevant Social Psychology' was held on 23/03/2019

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the Psychological Society, Department of Psychology, AMU, organized a web-talk (with Dr. Deepika Chamoli) on the topic- “From Mindfullness’ to Mindfulness in the Times of Pandemic”.

The Psychological Society under the ambit of Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, observed VIGILANCE AWARENESS WEEK (27th October, 2020-02nd November, 2020)

The resource-person for the session was Ms. Nanaki J. Chadha, Doctoral Student and Researcher, Stadfordshire University, England.