XavPsych, the Psychology Society of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) organised its first event ‘Fostering mental well-being in the workplace’ on October 22, 2024 at the university campus.

While inaugurating the programme, Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK said, “Good mental health is equally necessary in today’s professional landscape to cope with challenges. We must take care of it. I congratulate XavPsych for conducting this event.”

Dean Prof. Susmita Halder reinforced academia’s role in developing leaders committed to mental health.

Dr. Ratna Sinha, former VP-HRM of Tata Metaliks shared her insights regarding the impact of mental health on productivity and the importance of supportive workplaces.

Ms. Anwesha Banerjee, Assistant Editor of Ei Samay, a noted Bengali daily, shared her personal experience with therapy, advocating for reducing mental health stigma.

Ms. Sunetra Bhattacharya, VP-HR at RS Software, addressed leadership's role in tackling workplace harassment, calling for leaders to show empathy and understanding.

Dr. Priyanka Poddar, a clinical psychologist, wrapped up the presentations, focusing on burnout and self-care, encouraging practices of self-compassion and mindfulness.

The event also showcased creative reels and meme competition entries on mental health topics, adding a lighthearted yet meaningful aspect.

Dr. Soma Pramanik