Dimapur, Oct. 10 (EMN): Along with the rest of the world, Mokokchung and Phek districts in Nagaland observed the ‘World Mental Health Day’ on Sunday. The day was observed with an objective to sensitise and raise awareness on mental health issues and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.
In Mokokchung, the event was organised by the District Mental Health programme, in collaboration with All Nagaland Counsellors’ Association (ANCA) and the Child Helpline Mokokchung, at Town Hall Mokokchung on the theme “Mental health in an unequal world.”
A press release from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Mokokchung, stated that the additional deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, Sashant Pratap Singh, exhorted the participants on certain misconceptions pertaining to mental health. He elaborated by saying that the mental illness does not consider gender, economic status or age group adding that anyone and everyone is at risk. He stated that the day is observed to clear all the prevailing misconceptions.
Temsuyanger, DMHP nodal officer, also spoke on the objectives of the programme. He urged the participants for collective participation to eradicate inequality that existed on matters relating to mental health.
It stated that Merenchila Imchen, psychologist and counsellor of Childline, and Alemrenla, psychologist and educator of ANCA, educated the participants on “Mental health within the home environment” and “Mental health in the workplace” respectively.
The resource persons have stressed on maintaining healthy relationships at home by practicing clarity in communication within the family, avoiding miscommunication and the resultant stress and poor mental health arising out of conflicting thoughts and perspectives at the workplace. They also highlighted key points on identifying one’s mental health condition and encouraged on meditation, counselling and healthy physical activity in order to flush out stress and unhealthy emotions to maintain a healthy mind.
It stated that a total of 173 participants from schools, colleges, nursing school, employees from various departments, team from DIPR, IEC personnel and staff from the chief medical officer attended the programme.
In a related programme, Phek district has observed the ‘World Mental Health Day’ on October 10. The programme was jointly organised by District Mental Health Programme District Hospital Phek and Phek District Legal Services Authority at Police Baptist Church.
The resource persons were Sekhotso Rokha, advocate and penal lawyer of Phek district legal services authority, and Nikou Koza, clinical mental health programme officer of District Hospital Phek.
It stated that Sekhotso spoke on the objectives of NALSA and the various fundamental rights and entitlement of a mental health person, while Nikou Koza spoke on “Mental health in an unequal world.”
Koza also spoke on the importance of seeking timely treatment for mental health persons and its consequences for delaying the treatment.
The keynote address was delivered by Vesupra Kezo, superintendent of police, while the closing remark was said by Cheliam Khiamniungan, PDLSA secretary and judicial magistrate.
Tuensang district also observed World Mental Health Day at Tuensang Town Baptist Lashong (TTBL) on October 10.
During the programme, Psychiatry of District Hospital Tuensang, Dr. Senilo Magh, spoke on the importance of mental health, psychiatry, mind matters, types of mental illnesses, myths etc. He also encouraged anyone facing any mental illness problem to share their problem with doctor, psychiatric, social worker and clinical psychologist either through telephone or come to hospital.
More than 500 youths from different churches of Tuensang town attended the programme.
Kohima also observed the Mental Health Day at Good Samaritan Old Age Home, Kohima.
It stated that the theme of the day was shared by Ketousenuo Phewhuo, while Dr Nuvotso Khesoh, senior psychiatrist and nodal officer of DMHP, NHAK, proposed the vote of thanks.
After the programme, DMHP team also conducted screening and mental health check-up for the elders with free supply of medicine according to their diagnosis.