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Atemla Anichari speaks to students and guests during a programme marking World Mental Health Day that was conducted at Tetso College, on October 10.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 10: A small survey that a nongovernment organisation conducted on mental health in Dimapur reportedly showed a high percentage of people with “some signs” of mental health problems. This was revealed during a World Mental Health Day programme at a college in Dimapur.
The college, Tetso College, observed World Mental Health Day on October 10 in collaboration with a number of nongovernmental organisations such as Serendip Guardian, Young Indians and Nagaland Chamber Choir. A program commemorating the day was conducted in the college’s premises.
Atemla Anichari, a counsellor from the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) gave a discourse about the importance of conducting publicity programs among the youth and the public in general about mental illnesses.
“This day is celebrated to create awareness and conducting mental health workshops can be a start to create that awareness,” she said. Anichari highlighted the importance of building mental resilience which she said caters to not giving in to pressures. “A non-judgemental attitude and caring presence towards a depressed person will go a long way,” she maintained.
Serendip Guardians, a nongovernmental organization that works to promote mental health, conducted a survey of 500 people in Dimapur. A member of the NGO informed that a staggering 39.9% of the 500 respondents showed “some signs” of mental health disorder.
“According to the World Health Organisation, mental illness starts at the age of 14 and goes undetected and untreated which leads to cases of suicide between the ages of 15 and 59,” the member informed. During the programme, the Nagaland Chamber Choir treated the gathering to music. Students of Tetso College also recited poetry and sang.
St. Joseph University
A similar programme was organised by the dept. of psychology and counselling of St. Joseph University, also in Dimapur. According to updates the program started with an address from the head of department, Dr. Watinaro Longkumer.
She spoke on the issues of mental health based on this years’ theme “young people and mental health in a changing world.” She talked about many young people in the society today living with ‘unseen issues’ that make them particularly vulnerable to distress and mental illnesses.
“It is time to change our attitude to mental health and the stigma attached to it, to bring change to our society,’ the updates stated. World Mental Health Day is used to publicise the importance of mental health as a priority.