Theme: Life SkTheme: Life Skills as a Prerequisite for Mental Health – Empowering Mental Health through Life Skills Developmentills as a Prerequisite for Mental Health – Empowering Mental Health through Life Skills Development
The fifth lecture in the Voices of Life series by IALSE was held to mark World Mental Health Day 2025. The initiative promotes holistic well-being through life skills that empower individuals to make positive choices and build resilience.
Key Highlights:
- Welcome Address: Dr. Mona Kelshikar Pandya emphasized the role of life skills in managing emotional and mental challenges of modern life.
- Presidential Address: Dr. A. Radhakrishnan Nair underscored the importance of integrating life skills into daily living to strengthen emotional well-being.
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Dr. Baby Shari (University of Calicut) delivered an insightful talk on Life Skills as the Foundation of Mental Health.
Major Points from Prof. Shari’s Address:
- Differentiated knowledge, understanding, and skills, stressing that life skills are adaptive abilities that help manage real-life challenges.
- Defined mental health as emotional, psychological, and social balance, with life skills acting as proactive buffers against stress.
- Highlighted self-awareness as the “mother skill,” promoting reflection, empathy, and ethical adaptation in a technology-driven world.
- Discussed influences on mental health — including genetics, environment, habits, and lifestyle — and encouraged proactive self-care.
- Emphasized emotional awareness, resilience, and interpersonal skills to transform vulnerabilities into strengths.
- Urged integration of life skills education to foster long-term psychological well-being.
Interactive Session:
- On managing academic/personal pressure: Reflective thinking helps in identifying and reducing unrealistic expectations.
- On loneliness in a digital world: Empathy and active listening build authentic connections beyond virtual interactions.
- Prof. Shari’s “boat story” illustrated prioritizing survival and self-preservation before moral judgment during crises.
Conclusion & Vote of Thanks:
Dr. Archana Patki expressed gratitude to all speakers and organisers, highlighting the enriching discussions that inspired cross-regional participation. The event concluded by reaffirming that life skills are essential tools for sustaining mental health and fostering a culture of resilience and connection.
Report Prepared by:
Ms. Pallavi Joglekar, M.A. (Counselling Psychology), Smt. Maniben M.P. Shah Women’s College, Mumbai.