MCM holds workshop on psychosocial support during the pandemic

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, organised a workshop titled ‘Psychosocial Support during COVID Pandemic Situation’. The highly contextual workshop envisioned to equip the student community with COVID Helpers’ skills that will be instrumental in channelising their energies towards contributing in the fight against the pandemic. Mr. Samarth Sharma from MGNCRE conducted this workshop that benefitted over 570 students. 

Inaugurating the workshop, Principal Dr. Nisha Bhargava highlighted the importance of a strong psychosocial support system during such unprecedented times. She informed that conscious of its social responsibility, the college has been proactively involved in providing all possible support in the fight against the pandemic including distribution of masks, donation to PGIMER, Chandigarh, creation of awareness videos by NSS volunteers and NCC cadets, distribution of food and clothes to the needy, online counselling support for students by Geetanjali Counselling Helpline of the college and so on.

Mr. Sharma stressed that with the experience of emotions like anxiety, stress, uncertainty and fear adding to the woes of the COVID patients, it is imperative that they get adequate psychological and social support in order to effectively manage their condition. Elucidating the difference between sympathy and empathy, he demonstrated how the COVID helpers should show empathy towards COVID patients and counsel them for improving their psychological well-being. The workshop was a highly interactive one wherein the students shared their novel ideas and endeavours to provide support to the COVID patients