Port Blair, Oct 16: In commemoration of World Mental Health Day, ISMAT (Islanders Social Movement for Awareness and Training), a women’s initiative dedicated to community well-being, organized a comprehensive Stress Management Workshop for Women. The event, held on the 14th of October 2023 at TSG Emerald View in Phoenix Bay, Port Blair, aimed to equip women from all walks of life with essential tools and strategies to reduce stress and improve their mental health.
The workshop, held from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm, witnessed the participation of approximately 70 women seeking ways to enhance their overall well-being. The esteemed presence of Dr. Gladys Rai, the Dean of Academics at ANIIMS, added a sense of significance to the occasion. Ms. Shehnaz Jadwet, Charter President, ISMAT, warmly welcomed the Chief Guest with a plant, and the resource persons were also presented with plants by ISMAT members. The welcome address was given by Dr. Shirin Jadwet, the President, ISMAT. Mrs. Ratna Kannan, Member of the Child Welfare Committee and Mrs. Raj Mahajan Charter President of Inner Wheel, graced the event with their presence, adding further distinction to the occasion.
The workshop began with an insightful session on “Psychological Aspects of Stress” led by Ms. Hemlatha, a trained clinical psychologist from NHM. She shed light on understanding mental stress and offered valuable coping mechanisms. She emphasized the importance of meditation, highlighting that it can take various forms such as gardening, music, painting, or prayer.
The second session, “Family-related Stress,” was conducted by Ms. Poonam Lall, a retired Vice Principal and a trained counselor. She shared her vast experiences as a counselor and underscored the significance of a healthy diet and the role of proteins in emotional well-being.
Further into the workshop, attendees learned about dealing with daily stress through stress relieving stretching techniques, which were expertly demonstrated by Ms. Yasmin Rizwi, a skilled physiotherapist from Evolve Sports Physiotherapy Clinic.
Ms. Suchitra Maheshwari, a dedicated homemaker and influential social worker affiliated with the Gandhi Global Family, shared her expertise and valuable insights into the benefits of yoga and Ayurveda.
In her address, Chief Guest Dr. Gladys Rai emphasized the different types of stress and provided guidance on how to identify them and when to seek professional assistance. All workshop sessions were met with enthusiasm and found to be highly beneficial by the participants. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Rasheeda Peer, the General Secretary of ISMAT.
