With advancement of life, our tradition and culture are
being substituted by modern culture, such as substance use, misuse of social
media, extreme social obligation, dysfunctional family, competitive lifestyle,
and so on, which is affecting people of every age. In the midst of all these
unhealthy lifestyle, mental health issues of our community and every part of
the communities has emerged such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, eating
disorders, learning disability, internet dependent, alcohol and substance abuse
disorders, and other psychological problems, among many and along with all
these, Covid-19 pandemic has also become a catalyst of many mental health
issues in our society. And there is heightened demand for psychological
counselling, service and mental health workers but the stakeholders and
concerned leaders have a great role to play in addressing these needs.
In order to address the mental health issues in Nagaland,
the government has set up District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) in various
districts. Apart from other district DMHP, hospitals, psychiatric clinics and
counselling centres/ mental health institutions, 886 new cases of mental
disorders, who were reported in 2024, were treated in OPD alone at District
Mental Health Programme, Dimapur.
According to the National Mental Health Survey of India,
2015-16; the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS),
Bangalore, in collaboration with 15 institutions across the country, conducted
the Mental Health Survey. It was commissioned by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, government of India. The report says that nearly 15% of adults
in India require treatment for one or more mental health disorders. But the
government spends less than 1% of its budget on mental health. The survey
investigated the prevalence and patterns of mental health problems in India.
Nearly 150 million Indians currently require mental health care services, where
mental health disorders are defined by International Classification of Diseases
(ICD-10); there are treatment gaps ranging from 28% to 83% for various mental
health disorders. Alcohol use disorders account for the highest treatment gap
at 86%. One in 20 people are depressed, and one in 40 has experienced
depression in the past; and it’s a world leading disability. The report says
that mental health disorders are more prevalent among males (13.9%) than
females (7.5%), and 7.3% in the 13-17 age groups suffer from mental disorders.
The percentage amounts to nearly 9.8 million people. Severe mental disorders
include depression, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders. The report
recommends that the government implement a policy of mental health literacy,
focusing on promoting mental health, early recognition of mental disorders and
ensure the rights of mentally ill persons, and de-stigmatise mental illness.
We understand that various elements contribute to the
growth, sustenance, and development of the institutional ecosystem where young
minds gain learning experiences. Psychology, supported by research, offers
valuable innovations to strengthen this ecosystem.
Therefore, my humble request is that stakeholders recognise
and appreciate how psychology can support the resilience and progress of this
environment, nurturing the young generation from an early age into fine youths
of our vibrant society. As stakeholders and leaders in our society, we must
recognise the immense potential of psychology in shaping mental nourishment and
well-being. Three key areas -- bonds of love, learning paradigms, and modes of
mind to address essential human needs.
The National Education Policy emphasises holistic learning
experiences for children, aiming for their overall development within the
school ecosystem. Around 48 million children nationwide may be at risk, requiring
support for various cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioural challenges.
In India, the ethos of integrated development focuses on nurturing the head,
heart, and hands with a humanistic spirit, striving for righteous goals that
benefit individuals and society alike. These three psychological domains --
bonds of love, learning paradigms, and modes of mind -- should establish
psychology as a key stakeholder in realising the objectives of the National
Education Policy 2020.
Furthermore, psychology should not be confined to addressing
mental health issues or screening learners for specific abilities, which has
traditionally been its primary role. But it has a far greater responsibility
i.e. ensuring the holistic development of learners while fostering a righteous
and well-balanced mind.
How to Promote Mental Well-being
To promote mental well-being, stakeholders and leaders can
introduce essential elements to relevant departments, enriching learners'
experiences through psychological insights. Engaging psychologists and other
key members of the school and community can help assess innovations, refine
approaches, and make necessary adjustments. Encouraging a growth mindset
through self-determined motivation rather than external rewards empowers young
minds to contribute meaningfully to society, creating a positive and lasting
impact. Essential initiatives for mental well-being are:
1.School of
Well-being: Schools should make student well-being a key objective. They should
implement evidence-based strategies to teach mental well-being, life skills for
at least one hour each week, ensuring continuous support throughout a student’s
academic life.
2.Mental
Health Training: Equip healthcare workers, teachers, social workers and church
leaders to identify and address mental health issues early.
3.Parental
Awareness: Educate parents on recognizing and managing mental health challenges
in children.
4.Community
Mental Health Centres: Offer affordable counselling, peer support, and mobile
mental health units for rural areas.
Lastly, the former honourable President of India, Ram Nath
Kovid signed the Mental Health Care Act in April, 2017. The Act defines illness
as a substantial disorder of thinking, mood and perception, orientation, or
memory that grossly impairs judgement, behaviour and capacity to recognise
reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life. It recognises mental
conditions associated with the abuse of alcohol and drugs. The preamble of
MHCA, 2017 promises to provide mental healthcare and services for persons with
mental illness and to protect, promote, and fulfil the rights while delivering
healthcare services. This act provides care to the community. The Act is
progressive, client-centric and rights-based; the Act assures “RIGHTS OF THE
PERSON WITH MENTAL ILLNESS” as the heart and soul of this legislation.
Capacity Building (Suggested Initiatives for the Nagaland
Government in Mental Health and Counselling)
1.Establish
institutions that can offer specialised psychology courses such as counselling
psychology, career counselling, special education, organisational psychology,
clinical psychology, educational counselling, and family and marriage
counselling.
2.Certification
and training programmes for employed counsellors to enhance their skills.
3.Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) programmes to update knowledge and skills for
practice and research.
Conclusion
Mental health institution like Lapiye Centre for Mental
Well-being collaborates with experts from premier institutes and NGOs to address
mental health challenges through research and practical interventions. We
conduct workshops and training for teachers, students, professionals, couples,
and community leaders to promote mental well-being. Positive psychology, a
growing field backed by extensive research, aligns with the Mental Healthcare
Act 2017 and National Education Policies focus on psychological well-being,
resilience, and creativity. Cultural psychology also plays a vital role in
preserving indigenous knowledge, ensuring that traditional wisdom is integrated
into modern mental health practices for a more holistic approach.
To ensure mental health support reaches all sections of
society, policies must be reviewed to integrate services into schools,
churches, hospitals, NGOs, and workplaces. Adequate budget allocation for
capacity building, community-based interventions, and advanced training in
higher education will strengthen mental health advocacy and accessibility for
all.
