Mental Health Seminar
Seth G.B. Podar College organized a mental health and suicide prevention seminar in observance of Suicide Prevention Day. The seminar’s chief guest and speaker was Ms. Vedica Podar, founder of Kangaroo Minds, mental health advocate, and trustee of the Podar Trust. The theme of the online seminar was “We All Have a Role to Play, Start the Conversation.”
Ms. Vedica Podar emphasized the distinction between mental health and mental illness. She also suggested various strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. During her address, she highlighted that suicide has become a global crisis, with around 700,000 people dying by suicide each year, making it the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29. To combat this, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) are working collaboratively on preventive measures.
The seminar was jointly organized by Podar College, the IQAC Cell, and the Mental Health Committee. Vice-Principal and seminar coordinator Dr. Vinod Kumar Saini expressed his gratitude to Trustee Ms. Vedica Podar. Principal Dr. Satyendra Singh, along with Prof. Chetan Dadhich, Dr. Vidyadhar Sharma, Dr. H.P. Singh, Prof. Ambesh Kumar, Prof. Sandeep Jangid, Prof. Suman Saini, Prof. Kavita Jangid, and all department heads and lecturers, were present.
Chairman of Podar Trust Mr. Rajiv K. Podar and Executive Director Mr. M.D. Shanbhag expressed their satisfaction with the seminar, held in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.