Manipur crisis triggers surge in mental health issues

IMPHAL — A recent surge in mental health issues, including depression, insomnia, and emotional instability, has been linked to the crisis in Manipur. Specifically, there's been an increase in adults struggling with insomnia, emotional disturbances, and suicidal tendencies.

Disclosing this, head of Department of Psychiatry at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal, Dr H Gojendro Singh, on Sunday said such cases were seen in out-patient department records and field visits.

Dr. Gojendro was speaking at the day-long Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support clinic for Internally Displaced Children currently sheltering at relief camps in Manipur’s Thoubal and Kakching districts held at the picturesque Angaan Ching Eco Park at Kakching,50km west of Imphal on Sunday.

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Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) in collaboration with Department of Psychiatry & Clinical Psychology of RIMS Imphal, Department of Social Welfare, District Child Protection Unit (Kakching) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC-Kakching), organised the event.

Encouraging the children to keep faith and hope, reminding them that no problem or sorrow is permanent, Dr. Gojendro mentioned that compared to the early days of the crisis, there is now a visible change — children are showing signs of renewed hope and confidence.

Citing an inspiring story of a child from a relief camp who was recently selected for MBBS, he said such achievements should serve as powerful motivation. He affirmed that with hope and determination, success is possible even in the most difficult circumstances.

The Manipur conflict, which began on May 3, 2023, has displaced over 50,000 individuals, including more than 20,000 children, according to sources from the Manipur Child Protection and Rights (MCPCR).

Highlighting the significant and positive developments taken place over the past two and half years during the occasion, chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar Singh of MCPCR hoped that more positive developments will take place in the future too. He urged them to actively participate in the clinic being held today and to place their trust in the visiting doctors from RIMS.

Informing that similar clinics have also been organised earlier in Imphal East and Bishnupur districts, he encouraged them to always have a positive approach and hope for more. He also shared his positive experiences with the participants.

In her speech, Deputy Director K Saroja Devi of the Social Welfare department said that every individual is born with responsibilities and for the betterment of society and human race, everyone must strive to fulfil those responsibilities.

Stating that the efforts being made today are dedicated to the younger generation— the future pillars of society — she described children as precious gifts to the parents, the people and the state, she urged all the children to recognise the talents they are born with and to use them for the progress and uplift of the society.