MOKOKCHUNG — The 12 Assam Rifles supported by IGAR (North) organised the ‘Breaking the silence’ campaign at Henry Hall in Mokokchung town on Thursday.
The event was organised in collaboration with KRIPA Foundation, ACTS Foundation and Department of Social Welfare with an aim to raise awareness about mental health and the menace of substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
The event featured prominent personalities namely Kenie Ritse, Miss Northeast 2023, and Hikali Achumi, Miss Nagaland 2022, as the speakers.
Ritse pointed out that there is a negative connotation when it comes to mental health in the society. She clarified that mental health is about wellbeing relating to psychological, emotional and social health.
She further stated that stress has both negative and positive aspects, but a healthy mind could cope-up with those daily stresses. During such mental stress, she said seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of strength.
Hikali Achumi maintained that drug addiction is a family disease, which required collective efforts of both the family and society to address the issue. As the people of all ages could fall prey to drug addiction, she has sought an urgent need to create awareness among the citizens.
She advised the students by urging them ‘not to try it in the first place because drugs will take you to hell disguised as heaven.’
Thsuvisie Phoji, deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, has stressed the need to address the issue on mental health. Expressing concern on the alarming rising cases of mental health and substance abuse with Mokokchung not being an exception, Phoji has suggested creating awareness among the masses to curb those issues.
The commandant of 12 Assam Rifles, Colonel Rahul Gurung, spoke on urgent need to address issues like mental health and substance abuse to save and safeguard the local communities.
A Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (drug-free India) pledge was also administered to all the participants by Hakali Achumi.
A total of 763 participants from various departments including Assam Rifles, civil authorities, police, teachers and students from colleges and schools in Mokokchung town attended the programme.