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Secretary of Carl Rogers Institute of Mental Health and School Counselling (CRIMHSC), Kevichübei-ü Rutsa said mental health is often dismissed and ignored.
However, young Nagas are now coming forward and opening up their mental health problems with increasing awareness over time.
She was speaking at seminar on ‘mental health, study skills, and counselling in the 21st century’ organsied by Modern Higher Secondary School in collaboration with CRIMHSC, Kohima on Friday.
She said only a few are accessing the assistance and help, and therefore it is important to acknowledge that one has mental health issues and take responsibility to improve one's own mental health.
Rutsa further explained that being mentally healthy means being able to cope with difficult times.
‘It is about managing and expressing one's emotions. But when those emotions start to affect daily life, it becomes a problem.
‘In India, 90% people suffering from mental illness first approach faith-based healers,’ she said, citing a report.
‘Prayer and counselling work hand-in- hand. Having faith is theraupetic and going for counselling does not mean one lacks faith. Healthy mind is the essence of spirituality,’ she went on to add.
Speaking about depression, she said ‘it is not a joke as it is the final collapse’.
‘If a person feels sad, loses touch with the world, and have recurring thought sof suicide for two weeks than they are really depressed. Many women attempt suicide but it is men who die of suicide more. Every 40 seconds, people commit suicide,’ she added.
‘When anxiety--of feeling irritable and stress--becomes a daily habit and lasts for six months, they need to seek help. Fortunately, there early interventions available and one will be able to cope up with life if intervened on time,’ Rutsa said.
Kezhazolie Cornelius Mere, Chairman CRIMHSC and college counselor, said that everyone, irrespective of profession, need to go for counselling sessions. People tend to label those seeking counselling as "stupid". But in reality, their willingness to seek counselling shows they are strong, he said.
He also taught a gathering of students the basic skills of concentration and sex education.
Counselling sessions to students-individual and group- were also conducted as part of the seminar.
Around 300 students of Modern Higher Secondary School, Kohima attended the seminar.