When social distancing is the call of the day, people need each other more than ever to counter the economic and psychological fallout of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The best way is to stay connected and get solace from each other and stay positive in order to ward off the negativity caused during these uncertain times. In this connection, community service and reach-out can be useful as there are many people who face different sorts of issues and need support and guidance.
Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), under the aegis of the Indian embassy in Qatar, recently organised an online session on ‘Psychological Wellbeing’ as part of their programme called Mental Health – Facing Challenges with Positivity. Using Zoom application, the community group brought together over 50 people and a mental health expert.
Invited by ICBF, Dr Bindu Salim, Doha-based psychologist and philanthropist, engaged with 52 people from different strata of the Indian expatriate community and underscored how looking at brighter side of the bad situation and thinking positive could be helpful for overall mental health and well-being.
Sharing the details of her online session with Community, Dr Bindu, who carries professional experience of 23 years, said: “Since the Covid-19 related difficulties are testing the people, I tried the community members to focus on how to stay positive while stuck at home. I also underlined the fact that how an individual can check his or her personal negative thoughts. Often, our negative thoughts and feelings lead to negative behaviour. I also guided the participants on how to challenge negative thoughts and how to be positive.”
Further explaining the steps to ward off negative during uncertain times, Dr Bindu, who is also a life member of American Psychological Association, said: “There are many ways to ward off negativity. During hard times, we need to analyse our opportunities and strengths. We as human beings have seven strengths that we can bank on. These strengths are; resilience, humanity, optimism, trust, knowledge/wisdom, sense of purpose, and relationship. We can use these strengths to remain positive and face the difficult times confidently.
“Further, the humans also have seven opportunities to deal with difficult situations like the coronavirus outbreak. Our opportunities are: more time; reflection and reconciliation; speed and innovation; better meeting; reconnect and social bonding; better and clean environment; and modesty and acceptance. We have more time now to think and to connect with others. The modern technologies have made connection speedier and more innovative. Our meetings can get better as we have time and technologies to do so during this challenge. There is a visibly positive impact of staying at home on our overall environment. The health crisis and resultant social distancing have also taught us to be modest and accepting as everything is not in our control.”
Commenting on the online session for mental well-being, Baburajan PN, ICBF president, said: “The focus of the online interaction between the expert and the community members was to think positive and stay connected. It is very necessary for our mental and psychological well-being as we are stuck at homes.”
He added: “The session proved to be very helpful as people asked different questions and looked for positive answers. People learnt that how they can be busy and positive while being at home. They can get registered with online short courses to enhance their skills or capacities. They leant how useful it can be to spend quality time with families. The session was the part of our regular programme that we have started since the social distancing phenomenon got into practice.”
The long-time resident of Doha and active community leader further said: “Most of the people are stuck in their homes. Emotionally fine, but what about your social life. What about your gatherings. Who will pay for your domestic requirements? For these questions, we have a simple formula. That is to stay connected, you are not alone. Of course we all are together in the fight against this pandemic.”
IN SESSION: The Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) recently organised an online session on ‘Psychological Wellbeing’ as part of their programme called Mental Health u2013 Facing Challenges with Positivity.
