Jalandhar October 31 (Jaswinder Singh Azad)- Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, under the visionary guidance of Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra, organised a week-long programme titled ‘Happiness Carnival’ to mark World Mental Health Month. The initiative was organised by the Department of Psychology and the Psychology Forum to promote mental health awareness, emotional well-being, and positive thinking among students.
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health and address the stigma and misconceptions associated with it. Keeping this year’s theme, ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’, in focus, the college organised a series of engaging activities aimed at fostering emotional understanding, empathy, and sensitivity among students.
During the seven-day carnival, students conducted interviews on the theme ‘What Does Happiness Mean to You?’, participated in a happiness-sharing campaign, and expressed their thoughts and emotions through poetry, music, and creative performances during an open-mic session. The Happiness Carnival fair also featured a variety of stalls, including face painting, handmade bookmarks, bakery products, a photo booth, and psychological tests, which attracted considerable interest.
Counsellors and psychologists Ms. Pranavchit Kaur and Ms. Anantdeep Kaur conducted sessions
Ms. Niharika Mazumdar, Head of the Department of Psychology, conducted an Expressive Arts Therapy workshop, introducing students to the use of art and creative activities as means of understanding and expressing their emotions. Counsellors and psychologists Ms. Pranavchit Kaur and Ms. Anantdeep Kaur conducted sessions on identifying emotions and developing healthy ways to manage them. Similarly, senior counselling psychologist Miss Damini Tiwari sensitised students to the misconceptions surrounding mental health and highlighted the importance of seeking psychological support when needed.
Appreciating the efforts of Dr. Monica Anand, Head of the Department of Home Science, and Miss Niharika Mazumdar, Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra emphasised that educational institutions have a responsibility not only to impart academic knowledge but also to nurture the mental and emotional well-being of students. She stated that mental health is fundamental to human dignity and holistic development. She further highlighted that such initiatives encourage students to understand their emotions, cultivate empathy, and develop greater sensitivity towards others.
Through the ‘Happiness Carnival’, Apeejay College of Fine Arts reaffirmed its commitment to promoting mental health awareness, encouraging emotional well-being, and ensuring the holistic development of its students.