Immanuel College hosts seminar on mental health challenges in NE

DIMAPUR — Immanuel College, Dimapur, conducted a one-day national seminar on the theme ‘Unravelling the exacerbating growth of anxiety and depression among youths in India's north-east’ at the college conference hall on September 13.

The seminar, organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Immanuel College, was sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research-North Eastern Regional Centre (ICSDR-NERC), the college stated in an update.

The seminar included three sessions—inaugural and two technical sessions.

Speaking on the theme, the keynote speaker Dr. Dimpy Mahanta, head of Department of Psychology, Cotton University, Guwahati, outlined that the north- east has unique features that shape mental health patterns, and that this regional context distinguishes the problem from broader national trends.

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She noted that anxiety and depression among youths in India's north-east arise from the combination of structural, cultural, and psychological factors such as socio-political environment, economic pressures, educational stress, cultural and social expectations, identity and belonging, etc.

Mahanta also mentioned the common mental health issues afflicting the younger generation, including physiological stress, psychological stress, anxiety disorder, etc.

Stressing the huge urgency to address youth mental health before it escalates into a larger social crisis, she calls on all stakeholders to collaborate, invest, and support.

Dr. Lovika P Shikhu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Nagaland University, discussed the theme in the context of Nagaland. She quoted Aristotle, saying that while it's easy to become angry, it's challenging to express anger appropriately, with the right person, to the right degree, for the right purpose, and in the right manner.

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Dr. Shikhu emphasised that mental health involves having the right emotions at the right time.

She also explained the concept of mentalisation as the ability to understand one's own mental state as well as others, and shared findings from her various research works.

Resource person Dr. Amrita Pain, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Human Behaviour Department, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, delivered a presentation on tackling anxiety and depression among youth in India's North-East.

She outlined her research approach, key findings, and strategies for promoting mental health, emphasising the importance of family support, educational institutions, general health and positive thought patterns.

Dr. Pain also highlighted the significance of self-care, self-acceptance, environmental mastery, and nurturing positive relationships.

The technical sessions were chaired by Dr. Razouneinuo Soukhrie, Asst. Prof. in Dept. of f Psychology at Dimapur Government College.

In the first session, Yurtha Vashum, Kevisilie Chielie, Kenyuni Tep and Lucy Chirhah presented papers on ‘Community attitudes towards the mentally ill among the Nagas,’ ‘Resilience and emotional regulations: a comparative study among youth adults with alcoholic and non-alcoholic parents,’ ‘Sacred spaces and silent struggle: mental health and stigma in Dimapur,’ and ‘Perceived social support and anxiety among college students in Chümoukedima district, Nagaland,’ respectively.

The second session featured presentations by Toihon Konyak on ‘Research on the relationship between aggression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among Nagaland adolescents,’ Anjali Deb (‘An ethnographic study on the psychological burden of young cancer patients and caregivers in Tripura’), and Divyani Srivastava (‘A narrative review of psychological scales measuring depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents).

Earlier, the inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Temsusenla Ao, HoD & Asst. Prof. in the Dept. of Economics.

Dr. Imchanochetla Changkija, Vice Principal of the college delivered the welcome address, followed by a speech from Nengpilhing, IQAC Coordinator, Immanuel College.

During the valedictory session, the college Principal, Dr. Th. Sharatchandra Singh, presented certificates to the paper presenters. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Tolika, Assistant Professor of English and convenor of the national seminar.