The Department of Psychology organized a one-day workshop on ‘Cultural competence and evidence-based practices in mental health’, on 09.11.2022.

Program started with the welcome address by Dr. Susmita Halder, Head & Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, and introduction of the Resource persons Prof. Baiju Gopal, Prof. Miriam Mohan and Prof. Priya Kumari.

This was followed by three sessions by the resource persons. At the onset, Prof. Baiju Gopal conducted an ice-breaking session with the Post-Graduate Semester III students. The workshop focused on cultural issues behind mental health practices. Role-playing and perspective-taking was used to sensitize the students regarding people from diverse background. Prof Miriam Mohan attempted to create awareness of Diversity and enhancing cultural competence in mental health practices by her delivery. Prof Priya Kumari talked about the cultural knowledge required during psychological assessments and the framing of questions. The extremely educative and informative workshop ended with a short documentary on the ritual dance form of Thaiyaam. The program continued with a brief interactive discussion with the Dean Prof. Achyut Chetan, Dr. Susmita Halder, the resource persons and the students.

The program ended with a vote of thanks which was given by Dr. Jhilli Das (Tewary), Assistant professor of Department of Psychology. The workshop was attended by 30 students who gave very positive feedback and expressed their interests in further programs like this.

Dr Susmita Halder

Department of Psychology organized the talk titled “Transitioning from Academics to Industry – Honing your HRM Skills” on 28th March 2023, keeping in mind the needs of the student, to help them make the right choice based on authentic information. To provide a better understanding of Organizational Behaviour an industry expert working in the designated field was invited to share their real-life experiences and provide clarity on the career pathway one needs to follow to achieve success in this field.

The program started with Dr. Susmita Halder, Head & Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, welcomed the Resource person Ms. Sunetra Bhattacharya, and delivered the Welcome Address. Ms. Sunetra Bhattacharya is the General Manager of Employee Success, Abzooba - A UST Company. She has a background in Clinical Psychology. She is a committed and hands-on professional with over 16 years of experience setting up the entire HR practice from HIRE to RETIRE of start-up/SMEs tech companies which include Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Engagement, Grievance Handling, Policy Formulation, and strategizing HR processes to achieve organizational objectives. She has a Master’s in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology. PGDBA with specialization in HRM from Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning.

Ms. Sunetra Bhattacharya carried out an interactive session where she gave an experiential view of the real world of Human Resource Management. She explained the functions of an HR citing case examples of how conflict management strategies were used to resolve conflicts and deal with sensitive issues. At the end of her session, she patiently answered all the queries of the students. She asked them to upgrade their LinkedIn profiles for future career opportunities.

The program ended with a vote of thanks which was given by Dr. Moumita Mukherjee, Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychology. The workshop was attended by approximately 80 students from the Psychology Department who gave very positive feedback and expressed their interest in further programs like this.

Dr. Jhilli Das (Tewary)

The Department of Psychology recently organized a comprehensive lecture session titled “Pursuing dream in Psychology” on 1st September 2023.

The primary objective of this event was to provide postgraduate psychology students with a deeper understanding of the diverse and exciting career opportunities available within the realm of psychology. It aimed to reduce confusion and approach-approach conflicts by offering authentic information to help students make well-informed career choices. The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Susmita Halder, Head & Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology, who also extended her felicitations to the distinguished resource persons. The MC Ms Mehr Akhtar introduced the speakers and invited them to deliver their lectures.

Dr. Nilanjana Bagchi, Associate Professor from the Department of Psychology, Bethune College, initiated the program by delving into the history and essence of organizational behavior. She dispelled common myths surrounding this discipline and underscored its significance in identifying deviations from normality in employees within organizational settings. Dr. Bidita Bhattacharya, Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Kolkata, followed with an insightful presentation on Clinical Psychology. She highlighted the requisite skills and areas of focus for aspiring professionals in this field.

The post-presentation session witnessed active student participation in a dynamic question-and-answer interaction, where doubts were clarified, and curiosity was nurtured.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Jhilli Das (Tewary), Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychology. Approximately 70 postgraduate students from the Psychology Department attended the workshop, showing a keen interest in the topics discussed. They actively engaged in discussions and posed thoughtful questions.

The workshop received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants who expressed their appreciation for the valuable insights provided. Many students also expressed their interest in attending future programs of a similar nature. “The Pursuing Dream in Psychology” event stands as a testament to the department's commitment to supporting students in making informed and meaningful career choices in the field of psychology. It was a successful and enlightening event that left a lasting impact on all participants.

Dr. Jhilli Das (Tewary)

The Department of Psychology organized an awareness program in commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day. This event followed a sit-and-draw competition held one week earlier, wherein students creatively expressed their perspectives on the subject. The primary objective of this event was to raise awareness about suicide, its detection, and how to provide support to individuals contemplating suicide.

The event commenced with introductory remarks, emphasizing the significance of World Suicide Prevention Day. Miss Meher Akhtar, our Master of Ceremonies (MC), then invited the participants of the poster-making session to share the inspiration behind their artwork. This segment allowed attendees to gain insight into the thoughts and emotions conveyed through visual art. Following the poster presentation, students performed a poignant drama that centered on the experiences of suicide survivors and their profound impact on their families. The play was emotionally charged and resonated deeply with the audience.

To facilitate a deeper understanding of the subject matter, Dr. Susmita Haldar and Dr. Soma Pramanik, both esteemed faculty members with extensive clinical expertise, conducted a question-and-answer session. Participants actively engaged in discussions and posed thought-provoking questions, enriching the dialogue on suicide prevention and support.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Smit Soni, a postgraduate semester III student from the Department of Psychology. His words of appreciation extended gratitude to all participants, organizers, and attendees for their commitment to this important cause.

Approximately 73 postgraduate and undergraduate students from the Psychology Department actively participated in the workshop. Their enthusiastic engagement and thoughtful questions demonstrated a keen interest in the topics discussed. The workshop garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants who expressed their appreciation for the valuable insights provided.

This event exemplified our commitment to raising awareness and fostering a supportive community, furthering our mission in the field of psychology. We extend our gratitude to all who contributed to the success of "Creating Hope Through Action."

Dr. Jhilli Das (Tewary)