We live in these days unprecedented trials; weather phenomena, pandemic, economic collapse... and not without reason. We did not respect nature, and it is taking revenge on us, we did not respect Man and moral values, we did not properly appreciate the goods of life, as a result of which today humanity is troubled and faces fatal and tragic reactions. Among them, the phenomenon of femicide, which was, of course, not unknown, but nowadays it has come to threaten our country, and not only, as advanced Technology brings to light similar incidents all over the world.
2021 was the year when men's deadly violence against women occupied the agenda of politicians in Europe. Thus, in Sweden, the government took action with a strong program of measures, but the result of which appeared bleak. They intend, therefore, to ask for the support of the municipalities, so that the women can denounce the perpetrator there. In addition, a man was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his partner, who was pregnant with their common child. The verdict has not yet acquired legal force and can be appealed... it seems the delay of the courts is not only a Greek prerogative!
From the above treatment of the phenomenon of femicide, it follows that the "punitive" practice does not work, because at the bottom of the phenomenon lies the mental health of the individual, to which attention must be directed.
It is a fact that the Positive Psychology it is applied and utilized in many fields, especially in the field of Health, instilling in people basic concepts, such as positive emotions, optimism, the ability to enjoy, which contribute to the improvement of health in multiple ailments. In the field of Labor to improve the well-being of employees, to strengthen teamwork, for more positive leadership and better performance at all levels.
Positive Psychology, a newer branch of Psychology, began in America in 1998 as an innovative trend by the American psychologist and educator Martin Seligman, and looks forward to improving the mental health of the individual so that he becomes more productive on a personal and professional level and enjoys his life. Seligman proposed three paths to happiness: The pleasant life, in which a person can enjoy pleasant positive emotions, the good life or the life of engagement, in which a person is able to use his strengths in a constructive way, and life with meaning/purpose, in which one feels part of a greater purpose.
In our country, the Hellenic Society of Positive Psychology operates, as well as a special program of KEDIVIM at Panteion University by scientists who are actively involved in this branch of Psychology.
In Education, schools are increasing all over the world, which integrate Positive Psychology interventions into their programs for students, teachers of all levels and the school community.
Today at Yale University, The Science of Wellness, the “happiness course” is taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos, and is offered free online. It is one of the most popular in the history of the Institution, and when it began, in 2018, it gathered 1.200 students, forcing the University to allocate the largest room it had in its building facilities. After the imposition of the "lockdown" due to the pandemic, more than three million internet users had signed up for the digital delivery of the Psychology course
In the painful period we are experiencing, due to the pandemic and global social and economic changes, people's souls are wounded.. They feel alone, alienated from loved ones, and this imposed loneliness brings them face to face with themselves and gives them a unique opportunity for self-criticism and self-awareness. However, there are also cases of adults, who cannot manage their loneliness, and online happiness courses would be a lifesaver. They could act as a "maximum lesson".
Mental health is the key to well-being throughout our lives, and, as Alexander the Great believed, we owe our well-being to our parents and well-being to our teachers.
Prof. Stella Priovolou, president of the Body of Emeritus Professors of EKPA, dean of the Municipal People's University of St. Paraskevi.
photo https://pixabay.com/el/
