Nagaland: Discuss mental illness on public forums, says Dr. Pienyu

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Oct. 10 (EMN): Senior Medical Officer at State Mental Health Institute Kohima (SMHIK), Dr. Viketoulie Pienyu on Monday urged people to discuss mental illness on public forums so that people can access treatment.

While highlighting the importance of mental health, he encouraged the people to spend time with family and staying away from substances as a ‘stress buster’.

Speaking on the occasion of World Mental Health Day organised by the SMHIK, the doctor also offered tips for staying mentally fit.

‘Learn to sleep well with a minimum of seven to eight hours, have daily physical exercise, and stay socially active as it is not wise to stay alone. Manage time and have a good plan,’ he advised.

He said that mentally healthy people enjoy going to school or work, and maintain good relations with people around them. ‘They are productive and sleep well. One of the main complaints of persons with mental illness is not getting enough sleep,’ he added.

‘When a person is mentally ill, they become dull at work or school, prefer staying alone to socializing; they don’t sleep well and are always restless and irritable. Their productivity disappears and things they do become stagnant, and a country cannot progress with an unproductive workforce. The policymakers of the country, realising the importance of mental health, have listed mental health as the 10th most important matter in the country’s budget this year. Leaders are now realising the importance of the mental health of a person,’ he pointed out.

World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992, with special focus on a few things, including awareness of mental health issues, mobilising the support of governmental institutions, churches and society, and addressing the issue of mental illness. It also aimed at overcoming the stigma and discrimination of mental illness.

‘The day is also observed for those working in mental health institutions to come together and discuss problems and issues and make known the activities so that people can access the health facilities. Because most of the people are neither aware nor feel the need to come and access the facility,’ the doctor said. 

 He informed that SMHIK is considered as the only premier hospital for mental patients in the state and not all districts have the facility.

Experiences from caregivers

Speaking on behalf of the guardians and parents, one Samhing recalled his experience of caregiving to a person with mental illness.

It is very challenging to take care of a person with mental health issues, he said, adding that ‘unless they sleep, we cannot sleep’.

His son developed mental health issues in June 2022. The first thing he did was bring him to a prayer centre but it did not help. He then took him to a hospital which was of no help either, Samhing shared.

He was advised to take his son to some ‘powerful’ prayer centres claiming that his son was possessed by a ‘bad spirit’. After prayer and fasting, his son was able to get some relief for a few days but relapsed. On further advice, he took him to a prayer centre in Imphal and was told that his son needed to go to a hospital, and accordingly they brought him to SMHIK.

After consultation and medication, his condition is now improving, his father said while thanking the doctors and staff of the hospital.

Another guardian, Tonili, related how his son, after being threatened with a gun for abusing substances and quarrelling with some relatives, was left traumatised and developed mental health issues. He was taken to a hospital, later to an Ayurvedic hospital and even prayer centres but was not of much help.

‘We are not aware that he was supposed to be treated at a mental hospital. Later, his expenses became so high that we could not afford it. While on the verge of giving up, we learnt about the hospital and came here (SMHIK) in Kohima,’ she said.

‘It has been a little over a month since he was admitted to the SMHIK. Out here, the staff is taking good care of him. Otherwise, he was literally a ‘mad person’ and would roam sans clothes prior to taking him here. His is showing improvement now,’ she added. 

An in-patient also shared that he felt “normal” now compared to when he first reached the hospital.

A total of seven in-patients are currently at SMHIK.

Other highlights of the programme were song presentations, and a closing speech by Dr. Khriesilie Sachii, medical superintendent of the healthcare facility.