Book on mental illness launched in Dimapur

A memoir titled “Brain through the meat grinder” written by social activist Kevitho Kera was launched by Nagaland University, department of English professor, Dr. Rosemary Dzuvichu, here, on Saturday.
Speaking at the programme, Dzuvichu expressed hope that the 43 pages book divided into 10 chapters will be a very important guide for the parents.
Calling on the parents not live their own dreams through the lives of their children, she said that mental illness was not a new issue for Nagas, but that they were yet to learn on how to deal with it.
While prayers are needed, she said the behaviour of family members also mattered and that there was no shame in seeking medical help.
Referring to it as a “school boy’s account of the journey of mental issue”, 39-year-old Kera said he wanted to do his part in representing all those suffering from mental illness by creating awareness and loving environment for them.
He said he did not want people to sympathise with those suffering from mental illness but to empathise with them.
In this regard, he thanked his family members for being his pillar of support when he was at his lowest.
He also read out excerpts narrating his hallucinations of being attacked and his attempt to commit suicide.
Earlier, in the publishers note, proprietor of PenThrill Publication House, Vishu Rita Krocha said she knew Kera for over a decade and she would never really have known how he suffered for years if not for the book.
“It takes immense courage to open up and talk about personal struggles”, she said.
Pointing out that mental health was one of the most pressing issues currently facing in the healthcare industry, Krocha said many people were living with mental health conditions without getting the care that they required and deserved.
“The fulfillment in publishing this book is that it addresses this very important issue and I reckon it’s even more special because it’s about lived experiences of somebody from our own land, who knows what it’s exactly like to go through something like this,” she said.
The programme was chaired by Vimhaseno Neikha, invocation was offered by Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie and special number was presented by Vizho Thakro.
The book will be available at book stores in Nagaland and can be bought online at ilandlo.com.