Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 20
An awareness-cum-training programme on mental health for teachers was held today at the State Mental Health Institute, Kohima (SMHIK – Mental Hospital), Aradura Hills. The one-day programme, organized by the SMHIK and SMHA, was attended by teachers and counselors representing the schools and colleges in Kohima.
Delivering the introductory note, Dr. T. Wapang, Medical Superintendent, SMHIK, stated that mental illness is a common disease and can happen to any human being without discrimination.
He educated the gathering stating that mental illness is caused due to some biochemical changes in the brain and not communicable. He added that the causes are not multi-factorial, genetic, psychological, environmental, etc.
He regretted that patients with mental illness are widely misunderstood and are frequently stigmatized by others who think it as an uncommon disease. Citing the problems faced by patients, he said the general public has a misconception, ignorance and wrong attitudes upon them.
Calling for public support, he pleaded the public to understand the patients, which he said will make a real difference in the life of a person suffering from mental illness.
Rubbishing the myths and misconceptions that surround mental illness, the teachers who attended the training programme, were educated not to create any space for such things to develop in their minds, rather to give support so as to make them (patients) socially included.
The teachers, who perform as counselors, were advised to treat people with mental illness with respect and dignity. Meanwhile, the general public has also been urged to respect the rights of such people and further not to discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education.
It may be noted that mental and behavioral disorder accounts to 12 % of global burden and disease. In India, 1 percent population suffers from severely incapacitating severe mental disorder and 10 % suffer from minor mental disorder. As per statistics, one million die of suicide in the world every year. It was also learnt that around 20 % of the world’s children and adolescents are estimated to have mental problems disorder and less than 10 % of mental patients get proper treatment in India.
