‘Psychology of Youth’: Talks to raise mental health awareness

A group of psychologists have come together to raise awareness on mental health in Oman. The initiative, called ‘Psychology of Youth’, is a series of workshops held at Modern College from 4 to 6 pm on select dates. They are aimed at students and professionals from all over Oman.

The topics lined up are mindfulness, student mental health, psychological first-aid and general psychological disorders.

All sessions are free of charge, except for the art therapy. The workshops feature psychiatrists, psychologists and doctors.

“Anyone is welcome to attend and there is no fees. Students and professionals are welcome,” said Abeer al Mujaini, a psychologist at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

The sessions are on August 9, 13, 16, 20 and 23.

Mindfulness is the current trend. It is a practice used to train patients on a state of being present and to observe thoughts and feelings without any judgment.

Al Mujaini explained, “It is used in psychotherapy along with the other therapeutic techniques for several psychological disorders such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and general stress reduction.”

“It is an evidence-based approach used more and more in the modernday psychology and has proven to even have an impact on the brain structure. Many students go through anxiety and stress and this is one therapy that will be helpful for students,” added Al Mujaini.

“It is very useful and I have been practising it for almost two years. It is a life-changer. The fact is we all become anxious and we all ‘over think’. By predicting they would not succeed, people are focusing on their negative thoughts and therefore lose focus and panic. This is all due to a thought, which is a ‘psychological lie’.”

Al Mujaini believes we can make a difference by training the brain to recognise thoughts, observe them, accept them and refocus on the present. “We get more mindful and thus live a more fulfilled life.”