Can breathing-based stress management techniques be an answer in the current mental health crisis?
An online roundtable discussion on 7th October 2020 from 7 pm – 8:30 pm CEST
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the pandemic has impacted the mental health of people around the world. Isolation, fear, insecurity, economic turmoil, loss of loved ones and a feeling of powerlessness have determined the lives of citizens globally. Levels of stress and anxiety have risen substantially, including amongst children, young people and healthcare workers. Substance and alcohol dependency are expected to rise, while self-harm and suicide rates among at risk individuals are also expected to increase. The United Nations officially warned of a sharp rise in mental health problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latest studies by Yale University and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) published in July 2020 suggest that breathing-based techniques can be an effective tool in reducing stress and depression and support overall mental health and well-being.
How can something as simple and cost-effective as our own breath be a remedy in the current mental health crisis? Why are these techniques considered so impactful? And where are these techniques already in use and can be scaled-up as a best-practice for global impact?
This online roundtable, hosted by the World Forum for Ethics in Business in partnership with The Art of Living Foundation, invites leading experts to discuss “The Power of the Breath” and latest research findings as published in Harvard Business Review and Forbes Magazine.
Confirmed speakers include:
– Dr. Emma Seppälä, Science Director, Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education; Co-Director Wellness, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
– James Nestor, Science Journalist, Author of the Bestseller book „Breath“
– Swami Jyothirmayah, International Director, The Art of Living Foundation; Breathwork & Meditation Expert
– Moderator: Christoph Glaser, Managing Director, World Forum for Ethics in Business
Livestream available on social media
The event will be livestreamed on the social media channels of the World Forum for Ethics in Business and of The Art of Living Foundation. Channels include: www.facebook.com/WFEB.Global | twitter.com/WFEB_global | youtube.com/worldforumforethics | www.facebook.com/theartoflivingglobal | https://twitter.com/artofliving
Background
This dedicated roundtable event is a follow-up to WFEB’s most recent Think Tank on the pandemic’s impact on mental health and its implications and consequences. The Think Tank, comprising global experts from the European Parliament, WHO, science, business and NGO, called for the urgency to find cost-effective and immediate solutions to address the rise of mental health issues globally. For further information on WFEB’s Think Tanks dedicated to Covid-19 visit www.wfeb.org.
Contact:
press(at)wfeb.org