Coronavirus Lockdown: IGNOU begins mental health counselling sessions

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a mental health counselling session for its students. The sessions will be aired on Gyanvani (IRC).

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a  psychological counselling session for the mental wellbeing of the students during this lockdown period.

The mental health counselling sessions are being provided by the Discipline of Psychology, School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The session was started from April 13 by IGNOU on the topic 'Mental Health during COVID-19: focusing on our strengths'. The counselling sessions were aired on Gyanvani (IRC).

This month, the university will conduct five sessions for the students, out of which one has already been conducted. The University will hold further sessions in May. The sessions will cover aspects like e-learning, work-life balance, parenting etc.

For psychological assistance, the varsity has also released an email address i.e.mentalhealth@ignou.ac.in. Using this mail, students who need psychological assistance can contact the Faculty of Psychology.

The notice released on the University's website stated that: "The mental health impact of COVID-19 during and after the outbreak can be huge. Hence, prevention and intervention measures need to be taken on an urgent basis to ensure the mental health and well-being of the IGNOU fraternity.

Apart from IGNOU, many universities around the country are taking extra care to ensure the mental health and well-being of its students and staff. Lucknow University is also holding online counselling sessions. Delhi University's Psychology department has also come forward with counselling services which will be provided over email or phone. Calcutta University has also begun free online counselling service for students' mental well-being. Jamia Milia Islamia has also constituted a Mental Health and Counselling Committee consisting of senior faculty members to facilitate mental health and well being of the university's students.