JMI receives DST funding to investigate the mental health benefits of Yoga

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has received funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to investigate the mental health benefits of Yoga and meditation. The research will be carried out in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY).

In the proposed research, investigators will look at brain imaging, brain activity, biochemical and neuro-physiological parameters in university students who may be susceptible to stress, anxiety or depression, and then devise interventions to deal with these complications.

The students and staff will be enrolled from the university to participate in the three-year study. Yoga and other psychological interventions will be carried out both at JMI and MDNIY.

Tanvir Ahmad, the principal investigator from JMI’s Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies (MCARS) will collaborate with Sushma Suri and Meena Osmany from the department of Psychology, and S. Lakshmi Kandan from MDNIY.

Ahmad said that the research has gained relevance following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in an upsurge in mental health issues across the globe. It is scientifically established that students undergo stress, anxiety and sometimes depression when they are exposed to new work cultures in colleges and universities.

Ahmad, Suri and Osmany thanked JMI vice-chancellor Najma Akhtar for the support to carry out research on socially relevant areas.

Notably, since last year, a large number of studies have shown increased neurological complications in people who have been affected with COVID-19 as well as their family members. Further, the data unanimously presents concerns regarding the mental health of students who have been at the receiving end. Now, as the colleges and universities have started opening, the levels of stress, anxiety and depression in students have increased manifold.

MCARS director Mohammad Zulfequar said that this research work will benefit the students at large as the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on their mental health. Therefore, the timely support provided by DST will help recognise the students who may be in immediate need for interventions.

MCARS deputy director S N Kazim said that this research will lead to the development of a comprehensive mental health database and JMI’s intervention will serve as a model for other universities and colleges across India as they are preparing to start offline classes soon.