Guest Lecture on Mental Health and Stress Management

The Department of Anthropology conducted a thought-provoking guest lecture on Mental Health and Stress Management on August 7 at 10:00 a.m., as part of the Anthropology of the Human Body course unit. The session was conducted by Prof. W. A. S. Wijekoon from the Department of Sociology, an expert in the field of mental health and social well-being. Prof. Wijekoon explored a range of topics related to common mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. The lecture emphasized the socio-cultural dimensions of stress, drawing connections between anthropological perspectives on the body and the lived experiences of mental distress in various communities. The key focus of the session was on practical stress management techniques, encouraging students to reflect on the importance of self-care, mindfulness and support systems, especially within academic settings. The lecture also highlighted how anthropologists can engage with mental health discourses in both research and community-based practice. A brief Q&A session followed the lecture, allowing students to seek clarifications and share reflections on their own experiences.