-By ArdorComm News Network
February 12, 2022
Jamia Millia Islamia has received funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to research on the mental health benefits of Yoga and meditation using molecular tools and neuronal activity recordings, the university informed during a statement. The research is going to be administered together with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY).
“In the proposed research, the investigators will check out the brain imaging, brain activity, biochemical and neuro-physiological parameters in University students who could also be vulnerable to stress, anxiety or depression and provide intervention to cope with these complications. the students and staff are going to be enrolled from the University to participate in the study over the course of a three-year study. Yoga and other psychological interventions are going to be carried out both at JMI and MDNIY,” Jamia PRO Ahmed Azeem said in a statement.
Dr Tanvir Ahmad from the Multidisciplinary Centre for Advance Research and Studies (MCARS) is the principal investigator from Jamia who will collaborate with Dr Sushma Suri and Dr Meena Osmany of the Department of Psychology and Dr S Lakshmi Kandan from MDNIY.
Ahmad said the research work has relevance following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which has resulted in an “upsurge in mental health issues across the globe”.
“It is scientifically established that students undergo stress, anxiety and sometimes depression once they are exposed to new work culture in colleges and universities. Notably, since last year, a large number of studies have shown increased neurological complications in the people that are affected with Covid-19 as well as the members of the family,” he said.
“Further, the data unanimously presents concerns regarding the mental health of students who are at the receiving end. Now, as the colleges and universities have started opening, the amount of stress, anxiety and depression among students have tremendously increased,” he added.
Dr S N Kazim, deputy director, MCARS, said the research work will result in the “development of a comprehensive mental health data base” and Jamia’s intervention will function a “model for other universities and colleges across India as they’re preparing to begin the offline classes soon.”
Source: Indian Express