‘Mental health not a luxury but necessity’

KOHIMA — A senior medical officer (SMO) at State Mental Health Institute Kohima (SMHIK), Dr. Nuvotso Khesoh, on Tuesday called for prioritising mental health in everyday work place, saying that mental health is not a luxury but a necessity.

The SMO was addressing the World Mental Health Day programme, organised by SMHIK and Tele-Manas, at the institute.

Emphasising the critical importance of mental health in workplace, Dr. Khesoh said, “by prioritising mental health in the workplace, we are not only investing in our employees’ well-being, but we are also investing in the success and sustainability of our organisations.

“It is time to act. It is time to prioritise mental health, not just today, but every day,” he said.

In light of the increasing stress, anxiety and burnout prevalent in today’s fast-paced world, the expert highlighted how mental health in the workplace is often overlooked.

He called for reflection on the necessity of addressing this issue, stressing that it is essential for the well-being of both individuals and organisations. He stated that the workplace, where individuals spend a significant portion of their lives, can often become a source of mental health challenges due to factors such as unrealistic deadlines, heavy workloads or lack of support.

He has quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO), which stated that depression and anxiety are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, conditions that can be exacerbated by adverse workplace environments.

“When mental health is compromised, productivity suffers, but more importantly, people suffer,” Dr. Khesoh remarked, calling for a shift in workplace culture to make mental health a priority and integrate it into daily operations.

Meanwhile, the official outlined several strategies to promote mental well-being in the workplace including the need to encourage open conversations about mental health and creating an environment where employees can share their struggles without fear of judgment or repercussion.

He stressed the importance of providing access to mental health resources such as employee assistance programmes, on-site counseling and tele-mental health services. He also suggested regular workshops on stress management and added that mindfulness and emotional resilience should be part of workplace initiatives.

“When employees feel supported, they are more productive, engaged and loyal to their organisations,” remarked the expert.

Additionally, he highlighted the need to create a positive work environment, advocating for a culture of respect, inclusion and support.

Dr. Khesoh further underscored the importance of promoting work-life balance urged the organisations to encourage reasonable workloads, promote time off and respect the boundaries between work and personal life, stating that employees who feel rested and supported are more engaged and perform better.

Physical and mental health inseparable

The state programme officer (SPO) of National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), Dr. Chikrozho Kezo, in his speech, emphasised that physical and mental health are inseparable entities like husband and wife.

He said that mental health should not be synonymised with madness or stigmatised but rather prioritised.

He observed that Tele-Manas is an ideal programme as it offers service round the clock with free mental health support through phone-based services, ensuring that individuals across India can easily access the help they need.

Dr. Khriesilie Sachu, medical superintendent at SMIHK, said that although officially World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10, yet SMIHK, in collaboration with Tele-Manas Cell, had organised the event on Tuesday to spread the awareness.

He also stressed on the importance of mental health in the workplace and also stressed the need to seek medical attention and God’s blessings and guidance.

On the occasion, songs were presented by Tele-Manas Cell and SMHIK staff.

The programme was led by Suyimtenla Jamir, clinical psychologist at Tele-Manas Cell, and a vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Tiakala Walling, senior medical officer.

Vikuonuo Suokhrie, chaplain at SMHIK, invoked God’s blessings.