March 20, 2021
A panel discussion on Coping in the Challenging Times was held virtually on March 20, 2021 to spark conversation on the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic for individual well-being and mental health. The Foundation’s Secretary/ Managing Trustee, Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra moderated the discussion that included as panelists: Prof. Honey Oberoi Vahali, Professor of Psychology at Ambedkar University, Delhi; Dr Bhargavi Davar, an eminent mental health advocate and Founder, Bapu Trust; Dr Amit Sen, a Psychiatrist and the Director of Children First, and Prof. Anita Ghai, Dean, School of Human Studies, Ambedkar University, Delhi. Aparna Sanyal, Board Member, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television, coordinated the event.
The panelists brought insights from their personal experiences and their professional expertise. They were unanimous in their support for creating safe spaces for articulation and equally convinced that communities must adopt a diversity of approaches and responses to the varying needs of individuals.
Mr. Mehrotra mentioned that such discussions are organized by the Foundation in keeping with His Holiness’ vision to initiate conversations between traditional wisdom – the practices of healing and nurturing the mind, and contemporary scientific and medical perspectives on mental peace and holistic wellbeing of humans. This event marks the commencement of a series of engagements on the theme.