Nagaland
Water Resources dept. organises mental health seminar for staff
DIMAPUR — Observing World Mental Health Month on the theme “It’s time to prioritise mental health at the workplace,” a one-day seminar on mental health for the officers and staff of the Water Resources Department (WRD) was held at the conference hall of the chief engineer office in Kohima on October 29.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, K. Hutoi Sema, in his keynote address, stated that mental health is as important as any infrastructure. He reminded the officials that taking care of one’s mental health is like maintaining a dam, according to a DIPR report.
It was stated that if they ignore or fail to check a small crack in the dam, it will create a significant problem downstream. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor these cracks. Likewise, if stable mental health is not maintained, it will hinder work.
It was further stated that balanced mental health enhances productivity and creativity in assignments. Therefore, officers and staff were urged to maintain balanced mental health, as it is as important as physical health.
The resource persons for the day’s programme were Lovitoli Awomi, counselling psychologist and founder of the Lapiye Centre for Mental Well-being in Chümoukedima, and Rev. Fr. Joe Mariadhas, director of the Shalom Rehabilitation Centre in Chümoukedima.
They highlighted perceived stress, emotional intelligence, and mental health in the workplace.