IIMS College recently organized an insightful session on Psychological First Aid (PFA) under the initiative of the IIMS Wellbeing Unit. The session aimed to equip student club members with essential mental health support skills in times of emotional crisis.
Experienced mental health professionals Ms. Monalisha Maharjan, a Counseling Psychologist, and Mr. Dipesh Tandukar, an IO Psychologist and Co-founder of Fheal facilitated the session. The session brought together student leaders from the IIMS Wellbeing Unit. They were all eager to understand how to offer immediate and compassionate support to peers during challenging times.
Understanding Psychological First Aid
Most importantly, in today’s fast-paced world, moments of emotional crisis or psychological distress can occur at any time. Often, our first instinct is to help, but how we help can make all the difference.
Therefore, the Psychological First Aid (PFA) session at IIMS focused on teaching students how to provide practical, non-intrusive care and support. During the session, the facilitators explained that PFA is not about offering solutions or therapy. It is rather about listening, comforting, and connecting individuals to appropriate resources.
Key takeaways included:
i. Recognizing signs of emotional and psychological distress
ii. Offering support without judgment
iii. Creating a safe environment for sharing
iv. Knowing when and how to refer someone to professional help
Moreover, Ms. Maharjan and Mr. Tandukar emphasized that true support lies in understanding when, where, and how to act effectively. They also guided students through real-life scenarios, group activities, and discussions to help internalize these crucial skills.
A Step Towards a Mentally Healthy College Life
Overall, this initiative reflects the importance of promoting mental health awareness and emotional well-being at college. This will also help prepare student club members to act as peer supporters. As a result, the IIMS Wellbeing Unit ensures that help is always within reach for those who need it. Students were highly engaged throughout the session and expressed how valuable the learning experience was.
As mental health becomes an increasingly important topic in academic environments, sessions like these are vital. Hence, the IIMS Wellbeing Unit continues to pave the way for a more empathetic, informed, and supportive student community.