DIMAPUR — Chizami Youth Society (CYS), in collaboration with North East Network (NEN), organised a ‘Sensitisation programme on substance abuse disorders and mental health’ in Chizami village on October 21.
An update from NEN stated that Dr. P Ngully, psychiatrist and chairman of Kohima Educational Society, spoke on ‘Understanding mental health, risk factors for mental health disorders and community response.’ He also highlighted the different parts of the brain (emotional, regulatory and reasoning brains and their functions) and how one part inter-relates with the other.
Dr. Ngully, who was also the resource person, noted that mental illness in Nagaland is largely a manifestation of ‘Intergenerational trauma.’ He underscored the need to recognise and accept mental illnesses like any other illnesses and seek timely professional help, where patients themselves must participate in the treatment. He added that family and community must extend support, ensure healthy diet and spiritual/prayer support to patients.
Dr. Ngully also stated that substance abuse disorders (addiction) is not really about weak will-power or moral but must be recognised as an illness that requires treatment. Attributing trauma, mental health, genetics and market forces as the root causes of addiction, he underlined the importance to understand history of patients.
He noted that discrimination, rejection, punishment are counter-productive strategies to address substance abuse disorders. He shared workable strategies to respond to mental illness and alcohol abuse disorders. It included education and sensitisation, detox programmes, rehabilitation, support centres/ mechanisms for patients. He added that collaborative efforts of multi-stakeholders by adopting multi-pronged strategies are critical to address the issue.
The programme concluded with an action plan to organise alcohol detox retreat for affected persons in 2024.
Representatives from the church, youth organisations, student unions, women societies, village council and GBs of Chizami village, Enhulumi village, Sumi village and Chizami town attended the programme.
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