The newly-established Women Development Center (GCU WDC) at Government College University (GCU) Lahore has held mental health workshops for female students of different universities.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi chaired the closing ceremony of the week-long workshops which were addressed by eminent psychologists who called upon students not to be shy in seeking professional or medical help if they suffer any kind of trauma, anxiety or stress. Ms Sumera Khalil, the InCharge of GCU Women Development Centre, was also present.
Addressing a workshop on stress management, GCU Clinical Psychology Unit InCharge Dr Mahwesh Arooj Naz explained stress is not only a mental state; it also shows up in physical symptoms and sometimes makes people prone to lifelong diseases. She said it is completely normal to experience both negative and positive emotions but it is necessary to take stressful situations not as a threat but as an opportunity to achieve a better outcome. She also taught different techniques to avoid stress which included meditation, deep breathing and mindfulness.
GCU Campus Counsellor Dr. Ayesha Majeed advised that dealing with intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, etc. It is recommended to calm down by looking for an exit from a situation, taking some downtime, and breathing slowly to get back to a comfortable state. She advised catharsis via written ventilation, talking to close and trusted persons and holding a positive dialogue with yourself and altering negative thoughts by hammering them with positive ones.
Dr Saadia Dildaar, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, talked to the students about trauma management Dr Rabia Iftikhar, another Assistant Professor, taught techniques and exercises for anger management.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Asghar Zaidi said mental health problems are a reality, so young boys and girls should not be shy about talking to their parents about them and seeking professional help. He added that these issues can also have long-term consequences for students; affecting their academic achievements and overall health. He appreciated the Women Development Center and GCU Clinical Psychology Unit for jointly organizing a workshop for female students about their mental health issues.
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