Psychiatry - 2021
September 28 (2021)-Suicide Prevention Day Celebration
The Department of Psychiatry at Sri Manukula Vinayagar medical college and hospital hosted a guest lecture for the commemoration of Suicide Prevention Day on September 28, 2021. It was a one-day event conducted at the hospital basement auditorium from 9.30AMto 12.30PM.Around 100 nursing college students from SMVNC, postgraduates and faculties from various departments, attended the lecture. Dr.S.Arun, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, SMVMCH, gave the welcome address. Dr.A.John Dinesh, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, AVMC&H, Pondicherry, gave a guest lecture after that. The guest speaker discussed the incidence of suicide, how to identify and help those who are at risk of suicide, and various coping and problem-solving strategies. The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer session in which the audience was able to clarify their concerns. The audience reacted well to the lecture. There was a mime and a cultural performance by nursing college students towards the end of the event. The students were intrigued and their enthusiasm throughout the event was very encouraging. Feedback about the event was very encouraging for the organizers.
October 5 – 11 (2021) – Mental Health Week Celebration
Department of Psychiatry of Sri ManakulaVinayagar Medical College and Hospital along with Sri ManakulaVinayagar Nursing College hosted a 6 days event to celebrate Mental Health Week. This event comprised of the Inauguration Ceremony on day 1, essay writing competition on day 2, Elocution on day 3, Quiz competition on day 4, “A Day for and with Mentally Challenged” on day 5, and celebration of “World Mental Health Day” along with guest lecture and prize distribution on day 6. Both nursing students from SMVNC and UG students from SMVMCH who were interested participated in the competitions. Last day of the event was conducted at the hospital basement auditorium from 10AMto 1PM. Around 150 students from SMVNC and UG students from SMVMCH, postgraduates and faculties from various departments, attended the final event. We were fortunate to listen to Dr.S.Avudaiappan, Associate Professor of Department of Psychiatry, Mahathma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, who gave a scintillating speech on mental health awareness during the last day of the event. This year’s WHO’s mental health week theme of mental health in an unequal world was conveyed very clearly through his speech. Also, this guest lecture was made available to attend through online platform. Overall experience of this event by the students and other faculties was very applauding.
July 9(2021)-Webinar series on Stress Management
In 2021, the Department of Psychiatry at Sri Manukula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital conducted a guest lecture on stress management. It was a webinar series with two-hour virtual sessions that went from 9AM to 11AM. This session featured a talk by Dr.Vikas Menon, Additional Professor of JIPMER’s Department of Psychiatry. This online webinar series was attended by SMVMCH undergraduate students, psychiatric postgraduates, and faculty from otherSMVMCH departments. Through the series, a considerable number of psychiatric postgraduates from various colleges attended this session. The talk about “Preserving Mental Health of Medical Students amidst Covid-19 Pandemic” highlighted stress management techniques that may be used by students as well as those working in the health-care field. Following that, all online postgraduates and other students were invited to participate in a panel discussion. This much needed workshop for healthcare workers like us was well received by the attendees.
January 28(2021)- Webinar series on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
A webinar series on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder was hosted by the Department of Psychiatry at Sri Manukula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital in 2021. It was a virtual event that explored different facets of OCD covered over 3 sessions with each session lasting for two hours starting from 10AM to 12Noon. Dr.Srinivas Balachander, Asst Prof, OCD Clinic, NIMHANS, lectured inthesesessions. The guest speaker presented a lecture in person in our college seminar hall during the last session, which was also made available online. These online seminars were attended by psychiatric postgraduates from a number of colleges. Each session received a significant number of postgraduates. The lectures covered OCD phenomenology and assessment, risk factors and aetiology, as well as pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options. Every class was followed with case scenarios and a discussion open to all online postgraduates. The postgraduates found all four sessions to be highly educational and interesting because they covered latest research in OCD. The whole event was well received and received positive reviews.
