Positive Psychology Conference Promotes Mental Health Treatments

A three day conference on “Positive Psychology: A New Approach to Mental Health” took place in Jaipur this month, hosted by the Amity University Rajasthan. The conference focused on problems of:

* Mental Health around the world

* Perspectives of Positive Psychology in Mental Health

* Meditation & Mental Health

The conference was devoted to developing a new approach to mental health by incorporating positive psychology into treatments. One of the presenters, Pui San Whittaker, presented a research paper on music therapy. Whittaker, a senior consultant with mental health commission in Western Australia, explained: “Music is a medium that can effectively change a person’s mood.”

Whittaker is heading up a campaign in Australia to encourage people to engage in musical activity in order to improve their well-being. The presentation was well-received, although because India has been so influenced by Western medicine, it is likely the ideas of positive psychology will require a lot of effort to gain widespread acceptance.

Aseem Chauhan, a university chancellor, presented a paper on the role of positive psychology in students. Chauhan said, “Students, irrespective of their streams, need to develop a positive attitude towards life that will improve the quality of life.”

The conference brought together positive psychologists, mental health experts, behavioral and social scientists, spiritual thinkers and academicians of repute to discuss the impact positive psychology could have if incorporated into mental health treatment, with a goal of promoting Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology is an approach to mental health in which positive thinking, optimism, and harmonious living are used to improve quality of life.

Shadra Bruce is a contributing writer for Mental Health News.