New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS): The O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has established a new school, Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling (JSPC) on the eve of the 11th anniversary of the University.

This is the 10th School launched by JGU in response to the growing need to understand human psychology, mental health and encourage

teaching and research in these fields. The Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling will contribute to the creation of a dynamic and

resourceful centre to train young students to contribute in the field of psychology.

The Guests of Honour for the inauguration of the 10th school of JGU were Ian Paul Everall, Executive Dean of the Institute of Psychiatry,

Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and Nimesh G. Desai, Director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences,

Government of Delhi.

JSPC will be composed of a diverse and expert group of professors, each with their independent psychology research programme and will

establish an experimental laboratory with various psychological equipment to facilitate faculty research and for the use of student training.

International student exchange programmes will help students to live in and study psychology at an international university. In the

classroom, the faculty will utilise experiential and goal-based teaching to facilitate understanding.

Outside the class, each student will be mentored by a specific faculty member, with a potential opportunity to directly assist in their

research. In the coming years, a Masters and a PhD course will also be introduced. JSPC also aims to start and publish an online journal, run by the faculty and students to document the latest findings and accolades for the school, faculty and students.

Speaking on the occasion, C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University observed "The Jindal School of

Psychology & Counselling (JSPC) is being launched by JGU on the basis of five guiding principles, which include, the interdisciplinary

dimension of the study of psychology within the larger context of humanities and social sciences. The second principle behind the

setting up of the school is to inculcate a sense of research in the broader field of psychology".

"The third principle stems from the need to develop disciplines surrounding psychology with a view to improving the discourse around

mental health in particular. The fourth aspect is to deliver on a long felt need to have a world class school of psychology within India with a view to fulfilling the aspirations of a large number of young people in the country. Keeping in mind the fifth guiding principle, JSPC wishes to be an institution, which provides foundational knowledge, and expertise, and skills for developing the next generation of mental health professionals," he added.

"The need to create a school dedicated to Psychology and Counselling was also felt due to the prevalence of a deep stigma attached to mental health issues in India. With one in five Indians being afflicted by some kind of mental health issue, it is important to

ensure that such issues are addressed at the earliest," said Sanjeev P. Sahni, Principal Director of the Jindal Institute of Behavioural

Sciences (JIBS).

"The Jindal School of Psychology & Counselling will work towards making a huge impact on the teaching and research in the broader field

of psychology and behavioural sciences. Studies by WHO have revealed that 14-15 percent of the Indian population suffers from some form of

mental disorder. We are starting this school because India has only 4,000 professional mental health experts," added Sahni.