VARTAH 3.0 - COUNSELOR’S SUMMIT

(JULY 12 & 13, 2024)

G D Goenka University, in collaboration with Fortis National Mental Health, hosted VARTAH 3.0 Counselor’s Summit on July 12th and 13th, 2024, focusing on Youth Mental Health and Competitive Examinations. Counselors from across India attended sessions on essential life skills, empathy, mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), positive parenting principles, and fostering creativity in students. The summit provided practical insights and tools for counselors to effectively support students, promoting resilience, well-being, and academic success.

DAY 1

The first day of VARTAH 3.0 began with a traditional lighting of the lamp and Saraswati Vandana, setting an auspicious tone. Dr. Kim Menezes and Dr. Amrita Bahl inaugurated the event, welcoming participants. The initial panel discussion on essential life skills highlighted the importance of self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and media literacy. Dr. Samir Parikh’s keynote on empathy and responsibility underscored the need for role models and mindfulness. Ms. Mimansa Singh Tanwar's workshop provided practical strategies for distress tolerance and introduced Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Ms. Roshni Sondhi’s session focused on emotional regulation, building mastery, and proactive coping, particularly aiding counselors in supporting students. The day concluded with a campus tour of G D Goenka University, offering participants a comprehensive view of the facilities. Overall, the day provided valuable insights and practical tools for addressing youth mental health and competitive pressures.

DAY 2

The second day of VARTAH 3.0 built on the focus on youth mental health and competitive examinations. Ms. Kamna Chhibber and Ms. Divya Jain discussed the "spotlight effect" in their session "Pressure to Performance - Learnings from Social Psychology," emphasizing goal setting, task prioritization, decision-making, and teamwork to help alleviate performance anxiety. They highlighted the importance of verbal and non-verbal reinforcement to boost students' self-efficacy. In the next session, Ms. Geetika Kapoor and Anuna Bordoloi explored positive parenting principles, stressing open communication, empathy, and nurturing relationships. Dr. Shambhavi Jaiman and Ms. Anusha Tyagi led a session on fostering creativity and out-of-the-box thinking in students, promoting innovative counseling approaches. The summit concluded with a valedictory session by Dr. Anjali Midha Sharan, who distributed certificates and provided closing remarks. The event ended with a high tea, allowing for networking and reflection. Overall, Day 2 offered valuable insights into social psychology, positive parenting, and creative thinking, equipping counselors with diverse tools to support youth mental health and development.