GDC Baramulla holds workshop on psychological first aid

Baramulla, Dec 8: The Department of Psychology, Government Degree College (GDC) Baramulla hosted a one-day workshop on “Psychological First Aid”.

The workshop was led by Dr Kaiser Ahmad Dar, Head of the Department of Psychology.

The event began with a warm welcome from Prof Mohammad Shafi Lone, Principal of the college, who highlighted the importance of psychological first aid training in addressing mental health challenges. He lauded the Department of Psychology for organising this impactful initiative.

Dr Abdul Majeed Bhat, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, introduced the guest expert and shared an overview of the history and significance of psychological first aid. He emphasised the value of hands-on training to complement classroom learning.

The workshop's training session was conducted by Dr Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, a distinguished Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) expert and RCI-licensed Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

With extensive experience in the field of clinical psychology and mental health, Dr Bhat has been at the forefront of providing psychological interventions and capacity-building programmes across various institutions. His session provided in-depth insights into the three golden principles of "Psychological First Aid – Look, Listen, and Link."

Dr Bhat's interactive approach made the workshop engaging and memorable. He used practical demonstrations and case-based examples to ensure participants could grasp the essence of psychological first aid. The highlight of the session was a live enactment of a PFA scenario by student volunteers, which brought theoretical concepts to life.

Dr Bhat also took time to address queries during a dynamic Q&A segment, sharing valuable perspectives on mental health care and crisis response strategies.

The programme was attended by several faculty members including Prof Sameena Ismail, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Syed Mutahar Aaqib, Coordinator, IQAC, and Prof Rizwan Fareed Khan, Department of Management Studies.

Their participation added value to the event, reflecting the collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary engagement of the college community.

"Dr Aliya Akhter delivered the formal vote of thanks, appreciating the efforts of the department, the guest expert, and participants for making the workshop a success. Postgraduate students Afreen and Kulsum hosted the proceedings with professionalism, adding grace to the event."

This workshop reflects GDC Baramulla’s dedication to equipping students with practical skills and promoting mental health awareness in the community. It also highlights the commitment of experts like Dr Aijaz Ahmad Bhat to fostering a deeper understanding of psychological care and its application in real-world scenarios.