Manipur observes World Mental Health Day

IMPHAL — Reaffirming its commitment to promoting mental health and well-being, Manipur joined the global observance of World Mental Health Day 2025 on Friday.

The event was jointly organised by the National Mental Health Programme, National Health Mission, Manipur, and the Directorate of Health Services on the theme “Access to Services — Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”

Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Sumant Singh expressed concern over the rising incidence of mental health issues, particularly amid crises and emergencies. He stressed the need to address triggers of psychological distress and called for collective efforts from the government, civil society organisations and the public to promote mental well-being. He added that a full-fledged mechanism is in place to reach those in relief camps and others affected by the recent crisis.

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Director (Health Services) Dr. N. Hemantakumar Singh said this year’s theme deeply resonates with the situation in Manipur, where many continue to live in relief camps. He assured that district mental health services are being strengthened, counselling corners established in hospitals, and Tele-MANAS expanded to ensure no one is left “unseen or unheard.”

Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, Professor (Health) with the Azim Premji Foundation and former Head of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, highlighted the psychological toll of internal displacement, noting that enforced change often causes trauma, anxiety and distress.

Acknowledgement certificates were presented to mental health teams for their service to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in relief camps and to the best-performing District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) centres, including teams from Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, Jiribam, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.

A street play on “Awareness on Mental Health” was staged at Thangal Lambi (Mall Road) Ima Keithel and Thoubal Bazaar, alongside a Mental Health Awareness Rally.