Humankind is facing one of the deadliest pandemics in the last century, testing time of perturbation and uncertainty. COVID-19 has affected people’s life-space, physical health and overall existence. Circumscribed physical movement, across many countries in the world, has been mandated, which consequently brought in psychological and vicarious changes in our lives. These circumstances have caused colossal changes in the everyday lives of people as well as in the discipline of psychology. The upsurge in the use of technology; remodelling of professional, educational, healthcare and consumer modalities; changes in government policies, the exodus of migrant workers; modifications in social-roles; change in environment and hygiene sensitivity or change in our relationships within home boundaries - everything brought new perspectives to the concepts and research in domains of psychology. Studying intricacies of this modified discourse has become an essential necessity for the discipline of psychology. It is important for psychologists to understand the impact of the pandemic and the quest for good health and well being. Psychologists can help in rebuilding and coping with the impact of the pandemic as well as prepare ourselves to face adversities in the future.

The intentions of the conference are to (a) enhance the understanding of the impact of a pandemic on mental health and wellbeing (b) use knowledge in psychology to develop sustainable, cost-effective and evidence-based practices to deal with pandemics (c) understand the positive and adverse effects of a pandemic on human beings and environment (d) role of psychology professionals in dealing with pandemics and preparing trainee psychologists to face similar challenges/adversities in future.

Sub-themes

• Sustaining Quality of life and self-care, Impact on Mental Health and Well-being during Pandemic and Post Pandemic

• Question of self in adversities /self and' existence- changing how we are and what we think and feel

• VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) circumstances and psychology

• Across the life-span-children and adolescents, managing family roles, issues of older adults

• Workplace- changing work culture, layoffs, and financial scenario

• Role of media- myths and misconceptions/ role of media - the new discourse

• Lifestyle changes -sleep, mental health, cognitive functions and relationships

• Parenting

• Balancing work and home-work at home, managing family responsibilities

• Environment and lifestyle

• Schooling - online education, teacher-student relationship, academic load

• Impact on Higher Education

• Role of Community, NGOs,

• Modified gender-roles and stereotypes in uncertain times

• Dealing with myths and misconceptions

• Impact on vulnerable and marginalised groups-persons with disabilities,

• Changes, opportunities and challenges in mental health service delivery

• Mental health and wellbeing of professionals and staff working in-service delivery- medical, paramedical, mental health, police and other staff

• Interventions and mental health service delivery including online-counselling, awareness, internet-based interventions

• Changes in preparing mental health professional and training programmes

• Role of Youth, involvement in service and volunteering

• Policy impacts on a local, national and global level

• Ethics-a rejuvenated perspective during pandemic/ethical way of practising and behaving - through the pandemic lens

• Impact of Social isolation on the mental health of affected people and caregivers.

• Psychological benefits during and of the pandemic