DIMAPUR — Can Youth, in collaboration with the State Mental Health Programme, organised an awareness programme on mental health, substance abuse, and social well-being at Thahekhu Village Baptist Church (TVBC), Dimapur, on September 14.
The awareness programme on the theme ‘I can’ emphasised integrated and comprehensive adolescent nurturing and is part of Can Youth’s ongoing six-month campaign focused on adolescents, an update stated.
Dr. Temsuyanger, psychiatrist with the District Mental Health Programme, led the first session on mental health, which focused on the psychological challenges that adolescents face today. The session highlighted preventive measures and resources available to young people for coping with mental health issues and emphasised the need for early intervention.
The second session was led by Kilentola Jamir, a human skill development facilitator and holistic counsellor. Jamir addressed the topic of substance abuse and social well-being, providing an in-depth analysis of the effects of substance abuse on adolescents and outlining various strategies for building resilience and fostering a healthy, supportive environment for adolescent development.
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During the session, she shared her personal story about her father, who developed cancer as a result of substance abuse.
Earlier, the keynote address was delivered by Tolim Somba, networking coordinator with Can Youth, who provided an overview of the event's objectives. Somba highlighted the critical importance of addressing mental health and substance abuse issues within the adolescent community.