Dr. Mythili Hazarika. MA; M-Phil; Ph.D; Post-Doc

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Positions and Honors

Positions and Employment

2017 July – Present : Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, GMCH

2011 – Present : Guest lecturer in Guwahati University Psychology Department in the counseling certificate course

2001 – 2017 : Senior Lecturer in Clinical psychology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India.

2000 – 2001 : Clinical psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Reviewing and Editorial Experience

2008 – 2014 : Editorial Board member, Open Journal of Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (OJPAS), formerly Dysphrenia: a peer-reviewed biannual academic journal of psychiatry with ISSN (Also visit http://dysphrenia.hpage.co.in/about-us_32167550.html)

2015 – Present : Reviewer, Canadian Journal of Psychiatry and Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

2010 – Present : Reviewer, National Tobacco Control Program,Government of Assam.

2012 – 2013 : Examiner in the North East for WISC –IV Indian standardization – A project undertaken by Pearson clinical and talent assessment, Bangalore for NCS Pearson India Private Limited. (Past)

2010 – Present : Examiner and reviewer of scales of MSc Nursing students of the Medical Colleges in Assam.

2009 – Present : Reviewer and examiner of Psychology and Sociology courses in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

2007 – Present : Supervisor of the Master degree interns posted from various prestigious colleges and universities across India for 60-90  days per year.

Professional Memberships

2010 – Present : Member of the State Mental Health Authority, Government of Assam.

2008 – Present : Member of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam state branch.

2012 – Present : Member of Assam State Legal Services   Authority, Government of Assam

2012 – Present : Steering committee member of the National Tobacco Control Program, Government of Assam.

2013 – Present : State level monitoring committee member of Cable television network under Information and Public relations department, Government of Assam.

2009 – Present : Guest lecturer in National Rural Health Mission projects, Government of Assam.

2011 – 2012 : Representative of UNICEF, Assam branch

2011 – Present : Core member of the prevention and intervention of burnt victims society

2013 – Present : General Secretary, Pathan Hazarika Charitable Trust (PHCT)

2014 – Present : Member of the American Public Health Association (APHA)

2011 – Present : Member of the International Society of Addiction Medicine

2012 – Present : Mental health expert consultant in Ashadeep- an NGO  for mental retardation and illness.

2010 – Present : Mental health expert in Don-Bosco institutes of Assam

2009 – Present : Mental health expert in National institute of public co-operation and child development (NIPCCD), Assam

2016 – present : Member of the board of Autism detection and certification

2016 – Present : Member of the board for special report of the orphanage of children with HIV.

International and national fellowship, training and observer ship

1. Fogarty fellowship for non-communicable diseases in the University of Florida, USA from 2014 – 2016.
2. Training on administration and scoring of SOCRATIS- Social cognition rating tools in Indian setting  in NIMHANS, Bangalore from 18^th April to 24^th April, 2014.
3. Completed a clinical attachment supervised by Dr Partha Choudhury at the Carleton Clinic, Cumwhinton Drive, Carlisle, Cumbria, United Kingdom, from 13th – 21st September, 2012 .
4. One day orientation in a Forensic Psychiatry Centre in Melbourne, Australia on February 22nd, 2012.
5. Attended and represented as a delegate of UNICEF in the Indian Council for Child Welfare, Tamil Nadu, from 16th -18th September, 2010 in the National Conference on Child Abuse for Multidisciplinary professional.

Attended and Scientific papers presented in international conferences and CME in international forums (both oral and poster presentation)

1. Participated and presented a paper on Attachment styles, self -esteem and quality of marital life: A study among distressed and non-distressed couples. International Congress, Crete, Athens. “Acceptance, Rejection and Resilience within family, school and social –emotional contexts”, University of Crete, Athens,  July 5^th ,2008.
2. Participated in the 23^rd ECNP Congress from 28^th -1^st September,2010 in Amsterdam, Netherlands organized by the European College of Neuro-psycho-pharmocology. CME with credits.
3. Participated in the American Public Health Association (APHA) 142nd Annual Meeting and Expo, held in New-Orleans, LA from 11/15/2014 – 11/19/2014
4. Presented an oral presentation in the 4th CDMH Meeting on Developing the International Journal of Child Development and Mental Health “Traditional and Alternative Medicine on Child Psychosocial Rehabilitation” May 26 – 27, 2016.Thailand

Scientific papers presented in national conferences (both oral and poster presentation)

1. Presented a study on Attachment styles and Quality of marital life- A study among distressed and non-distressed couples in the National Conference on Couple and Family Systems at NIMHANS, Bangalore from 4^th to 6^th December,2003.
2. Presented a paper on Attachment Styles, Self-Esteem and Quality of Marital Life- A Study Among Distressed And Non-Distressed Couples” in the XVI the Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch held at Guwahati on 22nd and 23rd September, 2006.
3. Presented a paper on “Psychological Effects of Noise Pollution” in the National Seminar on Conservation of the Environment- An Interdisciplinary Approach on May 6^th and 7^th, 2005 at Guwahati, Assam.
4. Presented a paper on “Traditional healing methods among psychiatric patients in Assam on 8^th January,2008 in the XXXIV National Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists, in Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata.
5. Presented a paper on “Prevalence study of Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic disorder, Conduct disorder and Oppositional defiant disorder in classrooms, on 9^th January,2008 in the XXXIV National Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists, in Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata.
6. Presented a case report: home-based intervention of a child with disruptive disorder in the Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch held at Nagaon on 4 and 5 October 2013.
7. Presented a paper on “The effect of psycho-social and vocational training of mentally retarded in a day care centre” in the Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch held at Nagaon on 4 and 5 October 2013.

Resource person in workshops

1. Conducted a workshop for 2 days on stress reduction and how to relax in Kalakshetra, Guwahati on July 24th and 25th,2006.
2. Conducted a workshop for Training of Grief Counselors, from 24^th to 28^th March, 2008 in the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in GMCH, in collaboration with NPCB.
3. Guest speaker in the Psychology workshop conducted by the Department of Psychiatry, Dibrugarh on 24^th and 25^thApril,2009 organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch. Credit earned -12 hours.
4. A workshop on “Cognitive Behavior and Rational Emotive Behavior therapy” held on 5-6^th March,2011 in the Department of Psychology, Jamia- Millia Islamia University, New-Delhi.
5. Conducted workshop in Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi institute of mental health (LGBIMH on 23/03/13 and 24/03/13 for the students in Neuropsychological assessment and management.
6. Conducted a workshop in trauma and counseling in NIPCCD for mental health professionals in rural Assam, March 30^th, 2014
7. Resource person in a workshop on 01/03/15 on Stress and how to manage? NPS International school, Guwahati (Assam)
8. Resource person in a seminar on 12^th February,2015 on “Workplace Diversity and IMPACT” in Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), Range Hills Road, Khadki. Pune (Maharashtra)
9. Resource person in workshop on 1^st March,2015 on Stress management at NPS International school, Guwahati (Assam)
10. Resource person in workshop on 16^th March 2015, on Positive Mental Health in Assam Jatiya Vidyalaya, Noonmati, Guwahati (Assam)
11. Resource person in a workshop on 27^th April, 2015 on Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Shishu –Sarothi –a centre for multiple disabilities.
12. Resource person in a community mental health program organized by Sarba Siksha Abhijan (SSA) at Rani, Guwahati rural on 6^th June, 2015.
13. Resource person for a workshop for parents of IV, V and VI standards in St Mary’s school in Maligaon on 6^th June, 2015.
14. Resource person in a Sensitization program for School Principals/ vice principals of Greater Guwahati on Child Mental Health. The topic is “ Concept of Mental Health and Mental Health Needs of School Children” on 18^th May, 2015 in National Institute of public co-operation and child development (NIPCCD), Guwahati (Assam)
15. Resource person in a workshop in St Mary’s School in Maligaon on 6^th June 2015 for the parents of primary schools
16. Resource person in a workshop titled “ “Adolescence issues and management” in Sarla Birla Gyanjyoti School on 17^th June, 2015
17. Resource person for stress and coping organised by an NGO called “SPACE” for the undergraduates of Handique Girl’s College, Guwahati on 30^th June,2015
18. Resource person in the Indian Medical Association regional workshop on “Child sexual abuse: prevention and response” on 31^st May 2015 in Guwahati, Assam
19. Resource person in a community mental health programme organised by Sarba Siksha Abhijan (SSA) at Rani, Guwahati Rural on 6^th June 2015
20. Resource person in a community mental health program on “ Mental health concerns in today’s world” organized by a trust namely “Mohan Chandra Roy Trust” in North Lakhimpur on 14^th February,2016.
21. Resource person in Gauhati High Court titled “Psycho-Social Implications of Disability” on 27^th February, 2016 organized by Shishu Sarathi with Rehabilitation Council of India, a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, for implementing the Central Scheme of In-services Training and Sensitization of Key Functionaries of State Government, Local Bodies and other Service Providers.
22. Resource person for a full day workshop “On Healthy Development” in Axel Public School on 29^th April, 2016.
23. Resource person in NIPCCD, Guwahati on “Need for Counseling services in the school for primary children and role of a school counselor” on 12^th May, 2016.
24. Resource person in NIPCCD, Guwahati on Specific Technique of Counseling (Anger Management) for the Counselors and Case Workers of Child Care Institutions from Eastern states on 10^th June, 2016.
25. Resource person in Shishu Sarathi on Oct 30^th on Stress management for parents of disabled children.
26. Resource person in NIPCCD on Nov 18^th2016 in a panel discussion on guidance and counselling skills among teachers of Government schools.
27. Resource person in NIPCCD on August 29^th 2017 on Techniques of Counselling for Distressed Women
28. Resource person in NIPCCD on November 22^nd on counseling skills for counselors from family centers of Assam.
29. Resource person in NIPCCD for Orientation Training on Counselling for Counsellors of Family Counselling Centres (FCC)”on November 30^th 2017,on anger management with teachers of schools from North east and Bengal
30. Resource person for tobacco control cell (Kamrup) on therapeutic intervention of tobacco in Uzanbazar on 22^nd Dec 2017
31. Resource person in NIPCCD on 2^nd February, 2018 for Orientation training on Supportive Interventions for Children with Learning and Behavioural Problem on Need for Counselling services in the school for primary children and role of a school counsellor and the topic is “Need for Counselling services in the school for primary children and role of a school counsellor”

Resource person in continuous medical education (CME), seminar and conferences

1. Resource person in the 6^th Mid-term CME -2010 organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch on 8^th May,2010.
2. Speaker in 6^th Mid term CME -2010 ,IPS ,Assam State Branch held on 8^th May, 2010 and gained 5 credit hours.
3. Resource person in the 7^th Mid-term CME-2011 of Indian Psychiatric Society ,Assam State Branch on 23^rd April,2011 in Nalbari on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Earned 5 credit hours.
4. Guest speaker in a CME and workshop on “ Child and Adolescent Mental Health” on the 16-17^th February, 2013 held at 151 Base Hospital Guwahati , Assam
5. Guest speaker in CME, on Learning Disabilities at Shishu -Sarathi, on January 3^rd2013, Guwahati.
6. Speaker in Mid term CME of IPS, Assam State branch on 2^nd June,2012 in Guwahati, Assam.
7. Participated in Mid term CME of IPS,Assam State Branch on “ Genetics in Behavioural sciences : From Genie to Gene” on 1^st June,2013 at Barpeta,Assam. Earned two credit hours.
8. Guest speaker in National Rural Health Mission office on Psychological issues and management of adolescence psychological problems on 18/05/ 2013.
9. Resource person in the 66^th Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS) in two symposiums on Neuropsychological tests and diagnostics in Dementia at Pune from 16^th to 19^th Jan, 2014. Earned 9 credit hours in the CME –Cinical/Psychiatry.
10. Delegate in a CME in “ Fundamentals of good clinical practice and ethics in clinical research, in GMCH, on 31^ST May,2014.
11. Presented a paper on “Dementia: is the time for a uniform diagnostic approach here? In a Symposium in Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS) and CME2014 held in Pune on 16-19 January 2014.
12. Presented a paper on “Role of investigations in diagnosis of dementia with special focus on region-specific MRI-based volumetric analysis” In a Symposium in Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS) and CME 2014 held in Pune on 16-19 January 2014.
13. Participated in the Indian Medical Association regional workshop on “Child sexual abuse –Prevention and Response” on 31^st May, 2015 at Guwahati, Assam.
14. Delegate in 18^th Mid term CME on “ Brain understanding and mental illness –Recent advances” organized by IPS,Eastern zone , on 13^th and 14^th June, 2015 in Guwahati, Assam
15. Presented a symposium on “Its different- child and adolescent psychiatry” in National conference of Private Psychiatry, on 5^th Nov,2016 at Kolkata.
16. Presented a symposium in World Association of Social Psychiatry in Guwahati from November 7^th –November 9^th

Resource person in training programs for teachers/social workers/psychologist/lawyers/other personals

1. Developing different modalities in promoting creativity in children in a workshop conducted on creativity in children for teachers and educationists (NIPCCD)
2. Guest speaker on “Significance of environment on children in a seminar on Skills training on methods and techniques of imparting early childhood education” for teachers (AAPM)
3. Need for assessment and counseling in a workshop on promoting child guidance services in North-east region for professors and teachers (NIPCCD)
4. An overview of different developmental disabilities in orientation training on prevention and early detection of developmental disabilities for social organizations working on disabilities.
5. Feeding, eating and elimination disorders in children with development disabilities in orientation training on prevention and early detection of developmental disabilities for social organizations working on disabilities.
6. Psychosocial needs of children and physical and mental stress in a workshop conducted for school teachers.
7. Pre-counseling assessment and referral management in a training program for counseling services on child survivors of trafficking.
8. Activities for qualitative development of a counselor in an orientation course on counseling for the functionaries of child care institutions.
9. Common behavioral disorder and deficiency and emotional problems of children and method dealing with the same in an orientation course for the mental health services for school teachers.
10. Strengthening child guidance services – need for assessment and counseling conducted a workshop to promote child guidance services.
11. Conducted workshops on Specific learning disabilities and childhood disorders in schools and hospitals.
12. Conducted orientation programs for the children of class Xth at Jatiya Vidyalaya, Assam for 6 consecutive years (2010-2015).
13. Mental health camp at Khetri on 13^th November 2016 in collaboration with Indian Psychiatric society, Assam State Branch.

Resource person in lay-person education programs

1. Guest speaker for Mother’s day  on 14^th May,2013 by Vodafone on Psychological issues in working mothers in Vodafone office, Guwahati.
2. Perception –talk in an institution for disabled children.
3. Critical thinking and decision making in a workshop on life skills education for parents
4. Conducted workshop and seminar on “Stress, its causes and management” in Vivekananda Kendra on 19/03/13 and 20/03/13
5. Talk on “Positive mental health” organized by District legal services and Bharat Vikash Parishad on 29^th Sept, 2013 in Dhubri district, Assam.
6. Chief guest in Royal Global School on 19^th November, 2016 on annual sports day.

Resource person in mass media

1. Invited for group discussion as well as personal interviews on psychological issues alcoholism, childhood behavior problems and stress management in television channels and radio broadcasts.
2. A guest in the Talk shows in various Television programs for various socio-cultural and mental health related issues in Assam (DY-365, NEWSLIVE , NETV, NE HIFI , PRAG, All India Radio channels) since 2005 till 2014. (CDs of the programs are available) Approximate TV programs done so far would be more than 100 with one hour time duration.(100 hours live and recorded)
3. Has been an expert in TV show of episodes of mental illnesses.
4. I have publications in local newspapers (Pratidin, Assam Tribune, Sadin) in Assam in a weekly and monthly basis.
5. Invited for a talk show in a local television channel DY-365 on 13/05/15 about “ Implications of corporal punishment by teachers in educational institutes in Assam”
6. Invited for a talk show in a local television channel DY-365 on 03 /06/15 about “ Live-in relationships in Assam”
7. “Live-in relationships in Assam” for a talk show in a local television channel DY-365 on 3^rd June 2015
8. “Implications of corporal punishment by teachers in educational institutes in Assam” for a talk show in a local television channel DY-365 on 13^th May 2015
9. Invited for a talk show in a local television channel DY-365 on 13^th May, 2015 on “Implications of corporal punishment by teachers in educational institutes in Assam”
10. “Students’ academic stress” in All India Radio on 7^th June 2015
11. Gender dysphoria: couple treated by me fro sex reassignment surgery on 18^th February, 2016
12. “Internet abuse” for a talk show on internet abuse Suicide prevention May 6^th, 2016
13. Drug addiction: causes and implications in todays’ youth 10^th May, 2016 in DY-365 TV local channel
14. Helpline in common mental health problems–phone in television on various issues in mental health In DY-365 TV local channel, on 12^th November 2016

Other rewards and achievements/recognitions

1. I have cleared the National Educational Test Eligibility for Lectureship in Psychology conducted by University Grants Commission (UGC) in June, 1998.
2. I have cleared International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on 20^th Jan 2007
3. Rashtriya Gaurav Award, 2016.

PUBLICATIONS:

1. Hazarika, M., and A. Raguram, Self- esteem and quality of marital life: A study of distressed and non-distressed couples. In Mindscapes: Global perspectives on psychology in mental health, Bangalore, India: National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2007: pp 471-481.
2. Hazarika, M., Rorschach ink blot test: Its utility and practical applications. In Psychiatric update, 2007: pp. 1-10.
3. Bhagabati, D., M.Hazarika, and D.Ray, Pattern of traditional healing among psychiatric patients in Assam, India. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2007.41(Suppl 2), 246-247.
4. Hazarika, M, Attachment styles, self-esteem and quality of marital life: A study among distressed and non-distressed couples. In Acceptance, rejection and resilience within family, school and social-emotional contexts, 2008: pp. 42-43.
5. Hazarika, M., and D. Bhagabati, Prevalence study of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in classrooms. Scientific update. XXXIV National Annual Conference of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists, 2008.
6. Hazarika, M., Substance use disorder and its management. Sateertha’84, 2009: pp. 104-110.
7. Hazarika, M., Healing from within: Spirituality and mental health. The Assam Tribune, 2008: p. 6.
8. Hazarika, M., Fostering pro-social behaviour and value-based education through positive child guidance. In S. Das (Ed.), Souvenir-cum-scientific update for the 22nd Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch, 2012: pp. 16-20.
9. Hazarika M. The genetic influence on personality disorders: A brief review. In R.K. Seal, U. Talukdar, & S. Das (Ed.), From genie to gene: Genetics in behavioural sciences, 2013: pp. 39-63).
10. Hazarika M. Social cognitive deficits and need for social cognitive remediation in schizophrenia. Dysphrenia [serial online]. 2014 [cited 2015 Mar 12];5:87-90. Available from: http://dysphrenia.hpage.co.in/article-social-cognitive-deficits-fulltext_95361867.html
11. Hazarika M, Bhagabati D. The role of personality correlates in the pathogenesis of alcoholism: an intergenerational study among alcohol dependent and nondependent population. Dysphrenia [serial online]. 2014 [cited 2015 Mar 12];5:32-48. Available from: http://dysphrenia.hpage.co.in/research-personality-correlates-in-alcoholism-fulltext_8795062.html
12. Hazarika M. Holistic approach in mental health care. Dysphrenia [serial online]. 2014 [cited 2015 Mar 12];5:3-5. Available from: http://dysphrenia.hpage.co.in/editorial-holistic-approach-in-mental-health-care-fulltext_97357689.html
13. Hazarika M, Das S, Talukdar U, Kumar A, Datta A. Role of investigations in diagnosis of dementia with special focus on region-specific MRI-based volumetric analysis. Symposia. Indian J Psychiatry [serial online] 2014 [cited 2015 Jan 30];56, Suppl S1:6-15. Available from: http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/text.asp?2014/56/5/6/124971
14. Datta A, Das S, Talukdar U, Kumar A, Hazarika M. Dementia: Is the time for a uniform diagnostic approach here? Symposia. Indian J Psychiatry [serial online] 2014 [cited 2015 Jan 30];56, Suppl S1:6-15. Available from: http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/text.asp?2014/56/5/6/124971
15. Das S, Talukdar U, Chakravarty S, Ghosh P, Hazarika M. Psychiatric service utilisation: the ‘start6’ programme. Indian Journal of Psychosocial Sciences [serial online]. 2013 [cited 2015 Mar 12];3(2):50-1. Available from: http://www.ipsf.in/9.pdf
16. Hazarika M. The aftermath of life: dying and death. Dysphrenia [serial online]. 2012 [cited 2015 Mar 12];3:112-8. Available from: http://dysphrenia.hpage.co.in/article_the_aftermath_of_life_dying_and_death_fulltext_42750781.html
17. Agarwalla S, Hazarika M. Childhood depression. Dysphrenia [serial online]. 2012 [cited 2015 Mar 12];3:93-7. Available from: http://dysphrenia.hpage.co.in/childhood_depression_88082134.html
18. Hazarika M, Talukdar U, Choudhury S, Das S. The effectiveness of psychosocial intervention and vocational training for mentally challenged in a day care centre. Journal of Rural and Community Psychiatry. 2014;1(2):56-65.
19. Arora S, Bhagabati D, Das S, Phookun HR, Hazarika M, Talukdar SK. ‘White handkerchief’: a patient of attenuated psychosis syndrome. Journal of Rural and Community Psychiatry. 2014;1(2):88-90.
20. Hazarika, M.,Social cognition and alcoholism: an insight. In: Das S, Medhi D, Dutta J, Chakravarty S, editors. Brain understanding of mental illness. Guwahati: Academy Publisher; 2015. p. 45-57. ISBN: 978-93-85063-01-5
21. S, Hazarika. M, Bardhan.N,  Talukdar.U, Bhagabati.D, Bora.U.Fifth revolution of psychiatry.Brain understanding of mental illness. Update for Midterm CME of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Eastern Zonal Branch 2015.pp 45-57.ISBN:978-93-85063-01-5
22. M. Is beauty only skin deep? Revisited with a psychotherapeutic approach. Scientific update for the Mid-term CME of the Indian psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch,2016 pp12-20. ISBN:978-93-85063-16-9
23. Das B, Hazarika M. Postpartum risks and Morbidity- A Psychosocial perspective .Scientific Update for the 26th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch,2016:pp134-41. ISBN: 978-93-85063-18-3
24. Hazarika M, Das S, Choudhury S. Parents’ attitude towards children and adolescents with intellectual developmental disorder. International Journal of Child Development and Mental Health (CDMH);2016:pp 1-9,Vol 5(1).
25. Hazarika M, Bhagabati D. Father and son attachment styles in alcoholic and non-alcoholic families. Open J Psychiatry Allied Sciences. 2017; 9:15
26. Domenico L H,Lewis B, Hazarika M, Nixon SJ.Characterizing Anxiety Among Individuals Receiving Treatment for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders.Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
1–9, 2017

MANUAL: Edited

1. Hazarika, M., and S. Bada Math (Ed), CARE: Child and Adolescent Responsive Education Guwahati, Assam: Pathan Hazarika Charitable Trust; 2014. ISBN 978-81-925698-5
2. Book Chapter in the Handbook of research on diagnosing, treating and managing intellectual disabilities
3. Hazarika M, Choudhury S.Attitude towards people with intellectual disabilities (PWID). In: Gopalan RT, editor. Handbook of research on diagnosing, treating, and managing intellectual disabilities. IGI Global; 2016:237-261.ISBN13: 9781522500896; EISBN13: 9781522500902URL: igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-diagnosing-treating-managing/142128

Contribution to the community at large:

I have been a guest speaker in more than 100 seminars, 66 workshops and in media (television, radio)which had disseminated information about the importance of mental health problems, prevention, early identification and treatment among the mass since last decade all over Assam. The seminar talks have been on various psychotherapeutic practices, stress reduction techniques in various government and non-governmental institutes, child and adolescent issues, training for grief counselors in the Regional institute of ophthalmology, learning disability awareness and intervention in educational institutes. For National Rural Health Mission programs, I have been a regular speaker on psychological issues and management of adolescent’s psychological problems and I have trained the MD (psychiatry) students in Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Mental Health Institute in Neuropsychological assessment and management. I have also presented seminars on workplace diversity and IMPACT in various institutes in India. I have regularly held workshops on stress –reduction, positive mental health and different modalities in promoting creativity in children among various stakeholders. I have trained teachers on Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Shishu-Sarothi –a centre for multiple disabilities and ASHADEEP on a regular basis. I have been engaged in various sensitization programs for school principals/ vice principals of Greater Guwahati on child mental health from topics such as “Concept of Mental Health and Mental Health Needs of School Children” to Gender issues. I have been a speaker in the Indian Medical Association regional workshop on “Child sexual abuse –Prevention and Response” and in community mental health programs organized by Sarba-Siksha Abhijan (SSA).

I have been involved in various community developmental projects in the area of mental health. I have a family trust on my late father’s memory namely “Pathan Hazarika Charitable Trust” and one of the primary objectives of this trust is awareness and intervention programs on health and social issues. I have been conducting various workshops on “Stress” in students, yoga programs, mental health issues and concerns in rural and semi urban areas.Being the General Secretary of the trust (PHCT) I have personally conducted workshops for parents of various English medium schools as well vernacular medium schools on adolescents issues and management. I am invited as a monthly speaker by National institute of public co-operation and child development (NIPCCD) on various topics related to mental health. I have raised awareness programs on the need for assessment and counseling on promoting child guidance services in North-East region for professors and teachers. Several needs based workshops for qualitative development of a counselor and orientation courses on counseling for the functionaries of child care institutions and for strengthening child guidance services has been initiated by me in North-east India.

I have been on television and print media for awareness programs in mental health issues since last 10 years and has been on talk shows in television programs in Assam (like channels DY-365, NEWSLIVE, NETV, NE HIFI, PRAG, All India Radio channels).I have publications in local newspapers (namely Pratidin, Assam Tribune, Sadin) in Assam on a weekly and monthly basis.

Description of Current Involvement in Research

1. Primary Investigator: Neuropsychological performance in men seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder. Funded by Fogarty international, University of Florida, USA
2. Primary Investigator: Development of a tool in vernacular medium for assessing specific learning disabilities among school children.
3. Primary Investigator: Factors related to internet-use among school children.
4. Administration of the scale to assess the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (PANSS):  The   titles of the projects are “Investigation of the relationship between Toxoplasma Gondii and schizophrenia with implication towards brain based diagnostic system and novel treatment approaches”, and  “A study of neurological soft signs and spontaneous movement disorders in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: proof of neurodegenerative/neurodevelopmental etiology?” and the grant for this current project is funded by Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences vide number SSUHS/RP/247/2015/14093 dtd 11/16/15.
5. Co-Investigator: IMPACT of Suicide Attempts in India: A multi-center study Identification of Modulators, Predictors And Convergent Trends (IMPACT) of Suicide Attempts in urban and rural Indian settings”: A multi-center study”. Funded by Fogarty international, University of Florida, USA

Co-investigator. Fetal growth, neonatal size and it’s relation to body composition and insulin resistance up to 6 years of age -a feasibility study. ICMR funded