JAMMU: The students from the Department of Psychology, University of Jammu today embarked on an eye-opening field visit to Boria Basti, Bahu fort, Jammu, which provides shelter for the homeless and helps them to reunite with their families.
Under the guidance of Dr. Sarita Sood, a faculty at the Department of Psychology, the visit was organized as part of the academic curriculum. It aimed to give students firsthand exposure to the psychological and social challenges faced by the homeless and marginalized population. The primary objective of the visit was to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-life applications of psychology in community settings. The students made observations to gain a deeper understanding of the mental health issues that often accompany homelessness and their existential crisis.
The field visit provided the students an opportunity to interact with the residents and staff. Students participated in discussions about the psychological impact of homelessness in present situations that includes mental health challenges such as stress, depression, anxiety, and psychological ailments. The residents shared their personal stories, highlighting the difficult circumstances that led to their current situations.
The students got an insight into how trauma, and lack of affordable housing are interconnected issues that contribute to development of major psychological illnesses, gaining a deeper understanding of how psychology plays a critical role in addressing these problems.
This visit to the shelter has inspired the students to provide psychological aid and services to the inmates of the shelter home. They expressed interest in volunteering at the shelter in the near future, furthering their contribution to society while gaining valuable experience in the field.
The staff and residents welcomed the students warmly. For the residents, it was an opportunity to share life experiences, concerns and receive support from a new generation of mental health professionals while for the students, it was a valuable lesson in the importance of understanding and compassion. It being the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, all joined the residents in celebrations too. The field visit was facilitated by Ms. Paru Manchanda, alumni of the Department of Psychology and NSS volunteer.
