The Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University organized a One-day Workshop titled “The Multifaceted Role of Psychology in the Modern World” with an objective to enlighten all the stakeholders of the Pondicherry University about the multifaceted role of psychology so that in turn they feel comfortable to approach the department in case of any mental health as well as social challenges. The event also focused on contemporary psychological challenges through interdisciplinary dialogues, with special emphasis on trauma resilience, youth development, mental health, and modern relationship dynamics.
In the inaugural address, Prof. Sibnath Deb, Head, Department of Applied Psychology stated that in fast changing society with technological advancements the lifestyles of common people have become more mechanical resulting in dissatisfaction, stress and/or psychological distress. Further, Prof. Deb remarked that over population, globalization, economic liberalization as well as inequality have further impacted the lifestyles of common people both positively and negatively i.e., people are becoming more self-centric and career oriented compromising with quality of life and happiness. In addition, there are many more factors like pandemic, pollution, violence, war between the countries, economic division, corruption, natural calamities, food crisis to name a few that adversely impacted the life of common people adversely, as highlighted by Prof. Deb. In the given situation, the role of psychologists in everyday life has become highly relevant, as remarked by Prof. Deb. For example, psychologists have a role in teaching, research, training, psycho-diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy, consultancy, human resource management, project development and management, policy formulation, community development, psycho-education for prevention, intervention and rehabilitation, family intervention and intervention in the institutions and organizations, crime investigation, conflict resolution, acting as an expert in various Commissions and Committees and so on. Prof. D. Sultana, Dean, School of Humanities, Pondicherry University shared her practical experience in dealing with students.
Thereafter Prof. P. Prakash Babu, Vice Chancellor of Pondicherry University endorsed the statement made by Prof. Deb i.e., psychologists have a role in every aspect of life. Being a neurologist, Prof. Prakash Babu shared his research experience in dealing with clinical cases.
In the technical session, Prof. B. Rangaiah discussed about post traumatic growth, its causes, consequences and intervention while Prof. Barani Kanth focused on interpersonal relationships and its implications. Common psychological problems, its causes, consequences and remedial measures was discussed by Rejoyson Thangal. In the final session, Prof. Sibnath Deb talked about youth development with special reference on mental health and career progression. In fine, the one-day workshop was successful in sensitizing the audience about the diverse role of psychology in the modern world.