District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) Kohima organised a mental health awareness campaign under the theme, “Adolescents and Youth” on November 9 at Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Porterlane, Kohima.
A press release by DMHP Kohima stated that common mental health issues, pathways to care, promotive and preventive measures to tackle common mental health issues were discussed during the awareness campaign. Resource person, psychiatric social worker, DMHP, Kohima, Veronica Nriame highlighted the participants on mental health and common mental health issues prevalent among the adolescents and youth.
She said anxiety, depression, gaming, suicidal risks and usage of alcohol and substances are common mental health issues prevalent amongst the adolescents and youth.
Deliberating on suicide awareness, Nriame stressed on how health workers can assist those individuals who are vulnerable and prevent the cases of suicides, adding that as suicides are preventable.
She urged the participants to be ambassadors in promoting and protecting mental well-being of self and others. She opined that it was essential for the health workers to do the referral services when required. Psychiatric nurse, DMHP, Kohima, Kethozenuo Mere spoke on the effective measures to promote mental health. She asserted that it was significant to regulate emotions and channelise in a healthy way and process range of emotions.
Mere also highlighted the participants on the the ongoing projects namely Tele MANAS, project rest and reducing drug use among children and adolescent project.
The sessions were attended by medical officer, Dr. Aomeren, nurses and ASHA workers.