9 months ago · admin · 0 comments

Mindfulness Based Interventions by Dr Neil Lekamge

We are delighted to share a comprehensive report on the highly successful Mindfulness Workshop conducted by Dr. Neil Lekamge on October 14th, 2023 at the Samutthana Premises in Pita Kotte. The workshop aimed to provide participants with practical tools and insights into mindfulness-based interventions for personal and professional growth.

Event Overview:
The workshop commenced at 9:00 AM and concluded at 5:00 PM, offering a full day of immersive learning and exploration into mindfulness. Attendees were welcomed to a warm and conducive environment, conducive to deepening their understanding and practice of mindfulness.

Workshop Highlights:
– Guided Mindfulness Exercises: Dr. Neil Lekamge led participants through a series of guided mindfulness exercises aimed at cultivating awareness and presence in the present moment.

– Practical Techniques: Attendees learned practical techniques and strategies for integrating mindfulness into their daily lives, enhancing their overall well-being and resilience.

– Insights: Dr. Lekamge shared his expertise and insights gained from years of experience in the field of mindfulness, providing valuable perspectives and guidance.

– Engaging Discussions: Participants engaged in meaningful group discussions, sharing their experiences and insights, and fostering a sense of community and connection.

Participant Feedback:
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of mindfulness and its practical applications. Attendees noted the workshop’s relevance to their professional roles and personal lives, highlighting its transformative impact.

Conclusion:
The Mindfulness Workshop with Dr. Neil Lekamge was a resounding success, empowering participants with valuable tools and insights to enhance their well-being and professional practice. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lekamge for his expertise and guidance, and to all attendees for their active participation and enthusiasm.

Thank you to everyone who participated in making this workshop a memorable and enriching experience.

2 years ago · admin · Comments Off on Case Management workshop by Dr Shanthy Parameswaran

Case Management workshop by Dr Shanthy Parameswaran

Samutthana managed to organise workshops virtually for nearly three years since the pandemic. This workshop by Dr Shanthy Parameswaran was the first physical workshop organised by Samutthana since the COVID-19.

The ‘Case Management’ workshop by Dr Shanthy was conducted on the 12^th of March, 2023 at the Samutthana premises in Aunty Cookie’s Café. The workshop gave the a thorough understanding of the various case management styles for the professionals who attended. The workshop was highly beneficial for both trainee counsellors and professional counsellors as they became aware of the effectiveness of different minds working together on a case. The budding and aspiring counsellors, after participating in the session, gained confidence in their pursuit of becoming successful counsellors. The session was a wonderful learning experience for those looking for a thorough understanding about different types of cases and managing them with ease.

The workshop was a success even though it had only a handful of people due to few participants that could not attend it at the last moment. Almost all the queries regarding case management were solved in this 2-hour session and all the participants were enriched with the necessary strategies they need to improve in counselling. All the essential aspects of counselling and case management were discussed in this session. Some of them are:

Good communication
Listening skills
Confidentiality
Empathy and understanding
Non-judgemental approach

The participants were also privileged to learn some of the vital aspects of counselling, such as:

Generalising
Identification
Musing
Pre-empting

Interactive Session

The course was organised in an interactive way where participants came up with a few questions as per their ability and understanding. This unique feature of the session made it a more interesting one.

Feedback

The feedback of the participants on the workshop went beyond our expectation. Since, Dr Shanthy, an expert herself, shared all her knowledge and experience on case management and counselling for the benefit of the aspiring counsellors; there is no doubt that the workshop session will be a successful one.

Images from the workshop

4 years ago · admin · Comments Off on Frontline workers and COVID-19: coping with stress

Frontline workers and COVID-19: coping with stress

Going to work during this COVID-19 pandemic has placed front-line workers under immense and unprecedented pressure, putting their physical, mental and social well-being at risk. Exposure to excessive stress, for prolonged periods can have many harmful consequences on the emotional and mental well-being of front-line workers. It can:

Lead to burnout.
Trigger the onset of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Result in unhealthy behaviours like using tobacco, alcohol or other substances, which may lead to substance use disorders.
Result in frequent absence from work or reduced productivity while at work.
Increase the risk of suicide among front-line workers, particularly healthcare workers.

In the context of COVID-19, this may mean compromised quality and safety of care, breach of protocols and guidelines, increased risk of infections, and compromised capacity of the health system and emergency response teams. While many of the efforts to reduce stress and care for front-line workers must be made by organisations, managers and health administrators, front-line workers can also take actions to cope with stress.

Actions front-line workers can take to cope with stress during COVID-19

Put things in perspective

– Take stock of which things are within your control, and which challenges you have no control over.

– Spend some time each day recounting a few of the things you have accomplished.

Stay informed

– Seek information from reliable sources such as WHO and your local health authority on topics such as case identification, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) or any topic relevant to your role in the response.

– Consider taking an online course from a trusted provider, and keep these tools accessible in the field.

Avoid information overload

– Try to limit your exposure to media coverage as much as possible, including through social media.

– Avoid sources of unverified medical information and try to avoid the spread of myths and rumours.

Stay connected

– Reach out to friends and family members via text or video chat, and join meals or social activities virtually.

– Exchange support with trusted colleagues at work, as many may be having similar experiences.

– Consider creating a formal or informal platform where you and your colleagues can share knowledge and discuss some ethical dilemmas you are facing.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

– Maintain a healthy diet, stay well-hydrated, and try to get at least a few minutes of exercise a day.

– Rest during any downtime at work and get enough sleep between shifts.

– Avoid unhealthy coping behaviours such as using tobacco, alcohol or other substances.

Take better care of yourself

– Make time to do simple actions that bring joy, comfort and boost self-esteem on a regular basis.

– Practice techniques like breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding and mindfulness.

Know your limits

– If you feel too overwhelmed and unable to cope, consider what actions you can take to relieve some of your burdens at work or at home and discuss these with your supervisor or family members.

– It is also essential to monitor yourself for symptoms and immediately report exposure incidents or if you suspect that you may be infected.

Advocate for yourself

– Familiarise yourself with your rights to advocate for yourself. For example, clarify your rights for compensation and treatment in case of infection or legal protection from harassment and violence.

– Communicate openly with your supervisor and ask for the support you need, such as work adjustments (e.g. flexible schedule, rotation to less stressful tasks), more protective equipment or further training.

– Consider appointing an advocate like a trusted senior colleague instead of raising concerns individually.

Adhere to your treatment

– If you are receiving treatment for a mental health condition, stick to your medications, and communicate with your mental healthcare provider about making adjustments to your regimen if needed.

– Where face-to-face psychological support is difficult, search for virtual alternatives.

Seek professional help

– Seek help from a health professional if your feelings of distress persist and it becomes difficult to cope with your daily activities at work or at home. This could be your doctor or a psychiatrist or therapist.

– Consider utilising some local resources that have been developed for the COVID-19 response such as psychological support hotlines and remote counselling services.

Note: This article was shared by World Health Organisation (WHO). The original link is attached below.