Report On Mental Wellbeing and Need For Behavioral Change Communication with Major Takeaways.

The webinar started with inaugural address by Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal,

(Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home

Affairs, GoI). Sir welcomed all the participants and the key speakers with warm

welcome. Sir addressed the issues and problems related with “Mental Wellbeing and

Need for Behavioral Change Communication”. Sir state how our Indian culture has

already embraced the ethic of joining hands together rather than shaking hand and

how its imbibed in our rituals to wash hands, to sanitize oneself and to maintain social

distancing. Sir highlighted the gap that research on Mental Wellbeing and Need for

Behavioral Change Communication are very limited in nature and is not discussed

in a holistic manner. Sir encourage that more webinar, research and exchange of

knowledge should be done in subjects which can be related by day-to-day common

man.

The webinar continued with the Introduction and Objective of the webinar which was

conducted by Dr. Sushma Guleria, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Disaster

Management, Ministry of Home Affairs. She spoke about the importance and value of

the webinar. How this webinar can be useful in day-to-day life and how it can be

incorporated at primary and secondary levels.

Dr. Sushma Guleria, Assistant, presented presentation on “Mental Wellbeing and

Psycho Social Care” where the major highlights were:

• Pandemic,

• Guidelines- NDMA

• How is COVID pandemic different from other mega disaster

• Differential Impact On Women

• Post-traumatic stress symptoms

• Psychological Vulnerabilities

• Visible/Invisible Needs

The speaker for the next session was Ms. Bindu Aggarwal, (Faculty/ Incharge

Disaster Management Centre, Indian Red Cross Society (Nhq.) Red Cross Building,

1, Red Cross Road) who shared a presentation on issues like:

• What is behavioral change communication

• Significance of Behavioral Change Communication

• Stages of behavioral change

• Steps of doing bcc in context of COVID-19

• Prevention of COVID-19

• Steps of doing bcc in context of COVID-19

The webinar session then continued with question answer round, where the

participants put forward their queries and suggestion. Many participants have raised

question on their personal experience and how they had combated the situation.

Participants also put forward the societal standards, which they have to follow due to,

which problem and challenges face on individual and community level are often left

unheard or oppressed.

Key takeaways from the webinar:

1. The participants were able to understand reflection on individual’s important

values through engagement of open-minded and balanced appraisal.

2. Participants were able to develop linkage between individual, community and

societal behavior change

3. Importance and need for mental well being and Psychosocial Care to the

vulnerable section of society was thoroughly discussed

4. What are the DO’s and Don’t of Kids psychological support was extremely

hand for the participants especially in COVID situation?

5. Psychological vulnerabilities like sensitivity, emotions and face greater stress

was a fresh subjects for the participants to discuss and debate

6. Steps/Practice to change Behavioral Change Communication in context of

COVID-19 was one of the major take away for the participants as it

highlighted demonstrations and proper techniques, which can be used on daily

basis.

7. Major question of how to fight back COVID or How to prevent COVID was

put forward in the session such as:

• Use proper sneezing and coughing etiquette.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Practice physical distancing (some people call it social distancing. Either

• term is fine Don’t shake hands, hug or kiss others, share food or utensils or

towels.

• Stay 1 meter away from others as much as possible.

• Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

8. Stages of behavioral change and channels of behavioral change

communication like interpersonal communication, uses of IEC and mass

media, community mobilization, awareness drives, meeting were taught to

participants stating useful examples.

9. The speaker ensured that the activities are actually reaching the intended

audience/public and evaluate progress toward the objectives.

10. For long run how the subject of mental wellbeing and Behavioral Change

Communication can be not only knowledge based information instead how

can it be used practically on grassroots level and how a toolkit can be made

which will come in handy and easily adaptable for the readers of all ages were

major take away.

The webinar ended with vote of thanks to Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal,

(Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home

Affairs, GoI), speakers and to all the fellow participants with their patience, inputs

and suggestions.

POSTER OF THE WEBINAR ON

WEBINAR ON MentalWellBeingandneedforBehavioralChangeCommunication

Schedule of the webinar

On Mental Well Being and need for Behavioral Change Communication

Time Topic Resource person Method

1600-1615 Inaugural Address Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal, Executive Director, NIDM, Delhi

1615-1620 Introduction and Objective of the webinar

Dr. Sushma Guleria, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI

1620-1700 Mental Wellbeing and Psycho Social Care.

Dr. Sushma Guleria, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI

Power Point Presentation

1700-1800 Behavioural Change Communication

Ms. Bindu Aggarwal, Faculty/ Incharge Disaster Management Centre, Indian Red Cross Society (Nhq.) Red Cross Building, 1, Red Cross Road,

Power Point Presentation

1800-1830 Group Discussion Speakers

1830-1845 Vote of Thanks AradhnaMoktan, Young Professional, NIDM

WEBINAR ON MENTAL WELL BEING AND NEED FOR

BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE COMMUNICATION. BROCHURE About the Webinar:

Mental health is a state of well-being in which someone knows his or her own

abilities and can cope with the normal stresses of life. They are able to work

productively and can contribute positively to their community. There are many ways

to manage mental health and offer support to others.

Behavioural Change Communication may take different forms to appeal to

individuals or groups to change behaviour towards a specific health problem. The

webinar focuses on how communication can be used as a potent tool for promoting

positive health behaviour among populations to prevent and control the spread of

diseases and illnesses. The webinar also identifies models of communication that can

be used to guide the development of strategies that foster protection, reduces risky

behaviours, and encourage adoption and maintenance of positive behaviours. There

are a wide variety of different communication channels ranging from basic face-to-

face conversation, telecommunication channels like the telephone or e-mail,

computational channels like the medical record and mass media channels like TV,

radio, posters, brochures etc. It is important to know which channels can most

effectively reach particular target populations. Campaigns attempt to influence

adoption of recommended behaviours by influencing what people know and believe

about their behaviour, or influence actual or perceived social norms, or by changing

actual skills and confidence in skills assumed to influence behaviour. The study

concludes that the effort to bring about positive behaviour change in the society

should involve all stakeholders.

Objectives:

§ To focus on “Self-affirmation Strategy” which allows reflection on

individual’s important values through engagement of open-minded and

balanced appraisal.

§ To develop tailored messages and approaches using a variety of

communication channels to develop positive behaviours.

§ To promote and sustain individual, community and societal behaviour change

and maintain appropriate behaviours and mental well-being.

§ To highlight positive health outcomes, based on proven theories and models of

behaviour change.

§ To ensure systematic process beginning with formative research and

analysis, followed by communication planning, implementation, and

monitoring and evaluation.

§ To evaluate the aspects of demography, behavioural and lifestyle profile in all

aspects for planning in future.

§ To discuss the current knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, motivations, as well

as barriers to the adoption of behaviours and mental well-being.

§ To ensure that activities are actually reaching the intended audience/public

and evaluate progress toward the objectives.

Contents :

¨ Behaviour change

¨ Behaviour change communication

¨ Models of communication

Clientele:

Disaster Management professionals, State Disaster Management Authority, District

Disaster Management Authority, Faculty/ In charge Disaster Management Centre,

Indian Red Cross Society.