Psychologists are no different from other professionals, in the sense that we need to attend various seminars and event types to learn about psychological innovations and mingle with everyone.
Last year, I went to four different event conventions across the country with my colleagues. Aside from nurturing our knowledge, we also managed to connect with psychologists and mental health professionals from other states because of the event.
I personally loved attending any mental health event and other conferences. After all, each individual mental health awareness event allowed me to stray away from my hectic schedule.
I know that mental health professionals are not supposed to say that, but we tend to experience work burnout from time to time, too. That is why workplace mental health or workplace mental health wellness is important. Health in the workplace for me is a must, so any event is welcome, be it a free webinar for world mental health awareness, resilience, or another event on helping children.
That’s especially true if you are the only psychologist or mental health professional that two mid-sized towns share. Mental health professional fees come in abundance, as our mental health services aren’t necessarily always free when we share help. But even doctors need a break, which conventions (especially a free event) can offer and share.
Then Coronavirus Happened
Despite that, ever since the coronavirus outbreak event happened, all types of mass gatherings and events became prohibited. It meant that the four mental health conferences I was set to attend this year, regardless of the date, could not commence, as called by the conference organizers. While I wanted everyone to be safe, I could not help but feel sad about the conference.
Imagine, those were my only free event breaks in a year. I did not have kids or a husband to share free company with. On days that are free of any conference, I’m usually by myself on random days — Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, or event Sat. That’s typically without a personal or online contact in a day. Even my social media is off and I would want it to stay that way for a much more focused health wellness.
So going to conferences had been my idea of having fun for years. Any Thursday that has a free conference, whether that is 8 00 in the morning or late in the evening, I looked forward to. Now that I cannot do that on any date, it has honestly bummed me out and affected my emotional and mental health care.
Enter The Online Mental Health Event Convention
During the community quarantine, I lived a mundane life. No special event whatsoever. Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu all looked the same, no date or random 8 00 on Thursday stood out with a free event where I can share something with others. None of my patients scheduled event appointments at the time in fear of contracting coronavirus. So, I stayed at home most of the time, no more busy Thursday and Friday. The only thing I liked about it was that I could do yoga and meditation for hours which is helpful for world mental health maintenance. Other than that, I missed going out to share thoughts and stories like everyone else.
Then, my spirit awoke one day while browsing through my email. One of the psychological associations that I was a part of was about to hold a free online mental health conference for all of us. The organizers apparently invited a celebrity host and a couple of singers to facilitate the event program and do intermission numbers, respectively. Within seconds of reading the newsletter, I already signed up for the awaited date.
Below is a detailed account of my experience with virtual event conventions that I want to share with you.
Pros Of Virtual Events
I Didn’t Need To Dress Up For The Event
I want to share the first thing that made me adore the online event setup. It was that I didn’t need to buy new clothes for the occasion. This basically means free clothing. For conventional event conferences, I remembered spending my entire salary for three to four outfits only. It sucked for my savings, but I had to do it to avoid looking like a beggar in front of my colleagues. So now, I’m free from having to spend much for an event.
When I attended the virtual event, I put on a simple white shirt. I already had it, so it was essentially free. I thought it was the safest bet, considering they did not mention a dress code in the newsletter. Thankfully, it was a smart decision since I forgot that I would share a screen merely from the chest up.
Traveling Was Not Required For The Event, Essentially Being Free
The next perk I want to share is this: Although I expressed my love for mental health event conferences, I hadn’t told you about my lack of enthusiasm for traveling. I often got car sick unless I was sitting behind the wheels, so basically, whenever I share a vehicle with anyone. Whenever I went on a plane, I had to take an anti-anxiety pill at least an hour before that.
Now, since this particular event conference took place in the virtual world, I didn’t worry about traveling. I woke up, brushed my teeth, ate some breakfast, and turned on my computer to share the free online space of the event with other participants. That’s it!
I Got A Digital Copy Of The Mental Health Event Conference
Now, I want to share the last perk of the online event. It became an unwritten rule to bring a pen and notebook to events and conventions. This is so that we could write down every new information speakers share that we want to apply to our practice. Of course, it was challenging to remember everything while trying to focus on the speakers, so my colleagues and I ended up comparing free notes later. It was helpful to share notes, but actually writing down things made it difficult to focus.
Nevertheless, that’s not something I had to worry about during a virtual event. According to the facilitators, they would share a free digital copy of the event program. It saved me from needing to take note of anything. It would also be so easy to access and search for information later. Whatever topic it was, whether the psychology of children or resilience, the information is there. I could easily search through and refer to the free video of the event if I wanted to share something with someone.
Regardless of the day, be it Mon, Wed, Thu, I can review the event for free. Want to view it on a random Wed or Thu? No one’s stopping me from looking at the event again for free on any Thursday I want.
Cons Of The Virtual Event
Free Socializing With Fellow Psychologists During The Event Or After The Event Was Out Of The Question
What saddened me about the online conference was that I did not get to socialize and share thoughts with my fellow psychologists during the event. After an event back then, we used to go to a bar or restaurant and share fun. At the end of the night, we would already be friends and share contacts. We also used to free trade and share thoughts and insights about the mental health awareness event.
Unfortunately, when the virtual mental health awareness event ended, the event line immediately went dead and access was cut. There was no way to continue talking to other attendees, even though I would see their faces in the event conference’s free digital copy. There was no way to share contacts and search each other’s accounts.
Final Thoughts
Attending a mental health conference online has been an interesting experience. I liked that I didn’t need to leave my town—much less my house—to learn something new about the psychological world. My savings also stayed intact, considering I didn’t have to buy clothes. Despite that, socializing with people in my field remains essential, so I would not exchange a real conference with a virtual version of it anytime.