Flame University held a workshop on “The Psychology of Loneliness,” as a part of the Flame Upskill series. The workshop was especially timely and pertinent because of the various mental stresses and pressures faced by societies across the world due to Covid-19 pandemic, ensuing lockdowns, and the quarantines. Adapting to the new normal has been a challenge for many and the loneliness and social isolation only makes it harder. The workshop is aimed at understanding how to interpret this psychological game and cope with it.
The workshop was conducted by Prof Aparna Shankar, Faculty of Psychology, Flame University, who holds a PhD in Health Psychology from the University of Leeds. She works on health and well-being in older adults, with a particular emphasis on the role of social relationships. Her other research interests include the patterning of health behaviours, the role of the environment on health, and inequalities in access to care.
Speaking about the workshop, Prof. Aparna Shankar said, “My session focused on the psychology of loneliness, and it was fascinating to hear about high school students’ perspectives on loneliness. Keeping the current scenario in mind, it is extremely important to acknowledge that we must remain socially connected while physically distant.”