The Youth Forum «Mental Health» of the Russian Society «Knowledge» was held at KBSU
On November 3 at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov Nalchik students learned how to maintain mental health and deal with anxiety at the Mental Health Forum organized by the Russian Knowledge Society. Nalchik became the fourth city within the framework of the flight of the youth educational project «Smart Route» through the cities of the North Caucasus Federal District. Participants and experts of the Smart Route forum gathered at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University, where they discussed the importance of maintaining mental health along with physical health. The program of the Mental Health Youth Forum was designed to cover all the most relevant topics for young people: from self-esteem to art therapy and anxiety reduction methods. Achemez Mokaev, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech:
«The popularity of the Knowledge Society in our republic is constantly growing,” — he noted. — As for today’s project, we believe that this is a very important initiative. Kabardino-Balkarian State University is a key partner of the Russian society «Knowledge», and university students, in our opinion, should be the most active ambassadors of the ideas and meanings that it transmits to our society. I would like to wish that at the end of today’s events, you can definitely say that you did not spend time here in vain and learned something new. This is the key goal of our colleagues’ activities, which we are also striving for».
On behalf of the leadership of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University greeted the speakers and participants of the forum. Vice-Rector for Research Svetlana Hashirova:
«It is gratifying that Nalchik is one of the five cities where this interesting project is taking place, and that the forum on mental health is being held at the site of our university. I note that the topic is relevant, because very often the physical health of a person depends on his psychological state. Therefore, the more mentally healthy people we have, the more prosperous our society will be, the higher the happiness index in our region will be. Therefore, such events are very important. I wish our young guys, who will participate in the forum of the Knowledge Society today, find something useful for themselves and make a positive contribution to their mental health. Many thanks to the society «Knowledge», good luck, success and further successful promotion of their projects».
According to neopsychologist, Access Bars practice, leader of the ProWomen community, author and trainer Galina Filatova, one of the most popular topics is self-esteem. In her presentation, she explained what the concept of true self means and how a person’s self-image depends on relationships with other people. The ability to understand oneself and others is required in life for every person. Ilya Blagov, a clinical psychologist, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, post-graduate student of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, finalist of the first season of the League of Lecturers, told the children about this. His lecture was devoted to emotional etiquette. From it, the participants learned what emotional hygiene is, what are the rules of empathy, and how to live through negative emotions without harm to yourself and others. Vladimir Varnavsky, an ambulance worker, the author of the largest blog about this medical service and the creator of the telegram channel “On the Other Side of Salvation”, shared effective express methods for reducing anxiety with young people. The children learned to recognize anxiety in advance and distinguish stress from distress. A master class by Irina Strachkova, a specialist in psychological profiling, polygraph test supervisor, author of more than 100 articles on psychology, profiling and lie verification, showed participants that creativity can be an excellent tool for psychotherapy. Any creative activity gives a feeling of stability, confidence and happiness. Under the guidance of a mentor, the children tried art therapy and expressed their emotions with the help of paints.
«What is art therapy? This is a way to realize, realize and live your emotions and feelings through creativity,” — said Irina Strachkova. — Art therapy combines several methods. The most famous is drawing, but also art therapy methods include writing music, poetry, and in general any kind of creativity that is accessible and interesting to you. One of the easiest ways to get acquainted with art therapy is free drawing, neurographics and anti-stress coloring. They are available to almost everyone and do not require any special skills».
The forum program ended with an interactive lecture by Galina Filatova “Culture of Happiness: Applying it in Practice”. Galina collected in her speech the most important aspects of mental health: ways to create a positive strategy in life, stress reduction methods, techniques to help cope with chronic laziness and procrastination. The mentor also talked about how to develop the strengths of your personality.
For reference: The Russian society «Knowledge» traces its history from the Soviet public organization, founded in 1947 on the initiative of representatives of the Soviet intelligentsia as the «All-Union Society for the Dissemination of Political and Scientific Knowledge» (since 1963 — the All-Union Society «Knowledge», since 1991 — Society «Knowledge of Russia»). Members of the society were engaged in the popularization of science, lectured on the achievements of the Soviet economy and industry. In 2016, «Knowledge of Russia» was transformed into the All-Russian Public and State Educational Organization Russian Society «Knowledge». On April 21, 2021, during the Address of the President of the Russian Federation to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin announced the need to restart the Russian Knowledge Society on a modern digital platform.