FJDC workshop highlights mental health issues of young adults

KARACHI: Fatima Jinnah Dental College recently held an insightful mental health workshop at its Clinical Campus for the current batch of house officers.

Ms Arisha Ayaz, Senior Project Associate and Associate Clinical Psychologist, led the workshop titled ‘Navigating stress & nurturing resilience’.

It highlighted that over 23 million Pakistanis (10 percent of the country’s population) suffer from some form of mental health condition.

Common mental disorders are most prevalent among young adults, particularly those grappling with depressive and anxiety disorders, followed by bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosomatic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Health workers, on the other hand, often contend with stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and even suicidal tendencies.

The workshop shed light on the importance of mental health education as a means to enhance coping mechanisms, foster autonomy, and boost self-esteem.

At the commencement of the workshop, participants were asked to assess their current mood on a scale from 1 to 10. This was followed by a series of physical activities, including vigorous hand and foot movements, as well as deep breathing exercises engaging multiple senses.

An engaging stress-relief exercise followed. House officers were tasked with listing their sources of stress on paper, which was then placed inside balloons. These balloons were inflated and popped, creating a visually dynamic scene as the torn paper floated around like confetti. This lighthearted activity elicited laughter and a relaxed atmosphere among the participants.

The session continued with an insightful discussion on the topic of "Burnout," accompanied by strategies to reduce stress in our daily lives. The participants were then asked to express their emotions through drawings on canvas, allowing them to tap into their inner creativity.

Subsequently, an exercise called the "Obstacle Course" was conducted. In this activity, five house officers were asked to close their eyes and navigate through a floor filled with obstacles, aiming to avoid any physical contact. Guided by an observer, this exercise symbolised the presence of individuals who offer guidance through life's challenges.

Finally, participants wrote down positive affirmations about the person next to them, attaching these kind words to their wrists as a special keepsake from the workshop.

The workshop garnered positive feedback from attendees, who felt emotionally lighter by its conclusion.