Prof. Dr. Kochupillai moderated a panel of experts on “Promoting Student Resilience in Universities: Solutions to the Mental Health Crisis” in the conference on “Changing Paradigms in a Pandemic World: How to Regain Trust – Health Happiness and Ethics”. The conference was organized by the World Forum for Ethics in Business and took place on World Health Day on April 7, 2021. The session was centered on addressing the incidence and intensity of student’s mental health issues in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The session analyzed the current situation concerning university students and their mental health. Moreover, the best practices and recommendations that could address this issue were discussed, such as incorporating preventive stress management and resilience building workshops into university curriculums. Another fundamental step which was examined, was the best practices adoption. This was managed by undertaking large scale efforts to educate university staff and faculty, thus creating an environment that engages the students in the initiatives taken to sustain their mental health in university settings. In conclusion, the role of policy makers, governmental initiatives and community organizations in promoting mental health were analyzed.