India News - Sept 1-15, 2020

Raising mental health awareness for international students during covid-19 restrictions Many international students are struggling emotionally and mentally due to their temporary visa status and impact of COVID19 restrictions on their education and jobs. They are also feeling stressed for their families in their home countries and experiencing financial stress. There were reports that some students were reacting to these stresses in drastic ways.

The worrying situation of international students prompted the High Commission of India, Canberra, and Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA) to consider ways in which students could be helped. One of the ways was to raise awareness about mental health. Instead of doing a one-off webinar, a series of three one-hour webinars were organised on 16 July 2020, 30 July 2020 and 13 August 2020 to help students understand how to build resilience and cope with stress in the challenging and uncertain times of COVID19 pandemic.

Presentations were given by experts in the fields of psychiatry, cardiology, crisis support and youth engagement. Topics covered included how to cope with stress, connection between stress and wellbeing, how to develop a growth mindset, how to help someone in need, how to read one’s own stress signals, what activities and habits help in maintaining balanced life - all focused on building physical, emotional and mental resilience. Resource information was also provided.

Mr Mark Molloy (Lifeline Crisis Support volunteer and corporate trainer, Canberra) and Dr Murali Reddy (psychiatrist, Canberra) were speakers for the first webinar and topic was ‘How To Cope With Life Stresses In Difficult Times’; Dr Saibal Guha (psychiatrist, Brisbane) and Dr Yadu Singh (cardiologist, Sydney) were speakers for the second webinar and topic was ‘Connection Between Stress & Wellbeing: Building Resilience in Difficult Times’; and Ms Yleia Mariano and Ms Natalie Norman (Headspace Youth Ambassadors, Canberra) and Dr Sanil Rege (psychiatrist, Melbourne) were speakers for the third and final webinar ‘Developing a Growth Mindset: Building Resilience in Difficult Times’. The webinars were moderated by Dr Sunita S Dhindsa, CIFA Chair, with support from Mr Abhishek (First Secretary) from the High Commission of India, Canberra.

The Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA) is a national peak body of Indian Australian organisations representing all states and territories of Australia. CIFA continues to advocate and raise concerns with decision makers through government and diplomatic channels across Australia on matters affecting international students and Indian Australians while fostering integration, social cohesion and inclusion. This includes promoting bilateral relations, trade, tourism and strategic relationship between Australia and India. Please feel free to contact us or our state/territory member organisations.

CIFA comprises of the following organisations: Federation of Indian Associations of ACT Inc, Federation of Indian Associations of New South Wales Inc, Indian Cultural Society of Northern Territory, Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc, Federation of Indian communities of South Australia, Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania, Federation of Indian Communities of Victoria Inc, Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia.