Jamia receives DST funding to investigate mental health benefits of yoga

“In the proposed investigation, investigators will look at brain imaging, brain activity, biochemical and neurophysiological parameters in college students who may be susceptible to stress, anxiety or depression and provide an intervention to treat these complications. Students and staff will enroll at the University to participate in the study over the course of a three-year study. Yoga and other psychological interventions will take place at both JMI and MDNIY,” Jamia PRO Ahmed Azeem said in a statement.

Jamia’s principal investigator is Dr Tanvir Ahmad of the Multidisciplinary Center for Advanced Research and Study (MCARS), who will collaborate with Dr Sushma Suri and Dr Meena Osmany of the Department of Psychology and Dr S Lakshmi Kandan of MDNIY. .

Ahmad said the investigative work is relevant after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in an “increase in mental health problems around the world”.

“It is scientifically established that students experience stress, anxiety, and sometimes depression when exposed to a new work culture in colleges and universities. In particular, since last year, a large number of studies have shown an increase in neurological complications in people who have been affected by Covid-19, as well as in family members,” he said.

“Furthermore, the data unanimously presents concerns about the mental health of students who have been on the receiving end. Now, as colleges and universities have started to open, the levels of stress, anxiety and depression among students have increased tremendously,” she added.

Dr. SN Kazim, deputy director of MCARS, said the research work will lead to the “development of a comprehensive mental health database” and that Jamia’s intervention will serve as a “model for other universities and colleges in India while prepare to start offline classes soon.”