Sensitisation programme on mental health enters day 8

The sensitisation programme on mental health entered the eighth-day, at CTC hall, Chümoukedima, here, on Saturday.
The 10-day campaign is being organised by Community Mental Health Programme (CMHP) Prodigals’ Home and state commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), supported by district administration, District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and Gracious Life Foundation.
‘Spreading awareness at grassroots need of the hour’
Speaking on the importance of mental health, as resource person for the programme, senior medical officer (SMO), DMHP, Dr. Temsuyanger stressed that spreading awareness at grassroots level was the need of the hour. He highlighted the significance of “World Mental Health Day”, which will be celebrated on October 10, on the theme “make mental health and well-being for all a global priority”.
Dr. Temsuyanger stated that an impact should be created while observing the significance of this year’s theme and that a prior focus should be made on obstacles in creating awareness.
Pointing out that the state comprised of only four government psychiatrists, Dr. Temsuyanger suggested that the goal should be to train medical officers (MOs) and community mental health officers (CMHOs) in order to attend to patients with mild psychiatric ailments.
‘Churches play massive role in mental health awareness’
Special guest of the event, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Chümoukedima, K. M. Munesh stated that the young generation were the most affected, which also led to substance abuse. She stated that they were not contributing to the society due to lack of infrastructure, low employment generation in the state and lack of advancement which she said, hampered their mental health.
The DCP stressed on the need for timely intervention, informing the right authority, NGOs and that the churches played a massive role in addressing mental health illnesses and creating awareness at large.
At the programme, a short speech was also delivered by DDLSA panel lawyer Rokovitsu Khate.
Earlier, invocation was offered by Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church Arogo associate youth pastor Lima Jamir and welcome address was delivered by Prodigals Home director K Ela.
Awareness talk on mental health at ICFAI
An awareness talk on “mental health” was jointly organised by the Health Club of ICFAI University Nagaland in collaboration with CMHP of Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur on October 6 at the University auditorium.
In a press release, ICFAI University stated that resource person, CIHSR Nagaland, clinical psychologist Imlibenla Mongro spoke on depression and stress, which she said, could affect all age groups. She stated that stress could affect all parts of lives, including emotions, behaviours, thinking ability and physical health and depression, another serious condition, negatively affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves.
At the programme, ICFAI registrar, Rupanka Bhuyan delivered welcome address while CMHP, Prodigals’ Home, project director K. Sani highlighted various social and community-based activities undertaken by Prodigals’ Home in Chümoukedima district.