World Mental Health Day Celebration by COVID-19 Mental Health Team of Institute of Applied Psychology
Webinar series: 6th – 9th October 2020
Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore is conducting a series of webinars to celebrate the world mental health day. Theme of the webinar series is “Sharing Advent of New Spectrum of Positivity and Kindness”. With reference to these series, third session was conducted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2020. Session was chaired by Dr. Rafia Rafique, Director Institute of Applied Psychology. Dr. Rafia Rafique being the first speaker of the session shared tips to build gratitude exercises that can help participants remain positive amid difficulties. Second speaker for the morning session was Dr. Rabia Mushtaq. Dr. Rabia is Assistant Professor at Iqra University, Karachi she highlighted how Suicide can be prevented. She discussed about the alarming increase in the rate of suicide in Pakistan and worldwide. Ms. Ghazala Imran, Lecturer at Prince Sultan University, Riyadh and she shared coping strategies of expats living in Saudi Arabia . An evening session was chaired by Dr. Mujeeba Ashraf, Assistant Professor, IAP. Being the first speaker of the evening session, Dr. Mujeeba shared her insight into the new norms focusing on the post-covid world and how the pandemic has altered the global spectrum. Dr. Farha Abbasi, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, USA.

Dr Farha highlighted how domestic violence effects women and how women can be protected. Last speaker of the evening session was Dr. Sobia Aftab, Associate Professor, ICP, university of Karachi. Dr Sobia shared her insight on "Combating Suicidal thoughts" and discussed in details management tips for suicidal thoughts with focus on mindful self-compassion. Both sessions were live streamed through IAP Facebook and attended by hundreds of participants and professionals from all around the world.