Mental issues on the rise: Minister Ranjan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 10 2024: As in other parts of the world, World Mental Health Day was observed by National Health Mission (NHM) and Directorate of Health Services, Manipur under the theme "It is Time to Prioritise Mental-Health at Workplace" at Hotel Imphal, North AOC on Thursday.

The formal observance was preceded by a mental health awareness rally flagged off by the chief guest health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan.

Speaking to media persons at the flag-off point, Dr Ranjan cautioned that mental health issues are increasing every year due to intense competition and increase in stress.

Stressing the importance for extensive awareness on maintaining mental health, the minister also called for stress-free environment in workplaces.

He said the health services directorate department has been deputing teams to relief camps to ascertain mental health issues amongst the internally displaced persons.

Meanwhile, as functional president of the observance, health & family welfare special secretary Hungyo Worshang called for raising awareness on mental health among employees and employers and advised all concerned to share positive as well as negative experiences to family and friends.

The event was also attended by Health Services director Dr O Sanahanbi and NHM, Manipur state mission director Dr M Dinesh as guests of honour.

As part of the function, prizes were distributed to winners of the painting competition held in connection with World Mental Health Day.

World Mental Health Day 2024 was also observed by Manipur University Department of Psychology on the same the theme at MU Court Hall on Thursday during which Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam attributed mental health issues to insecure society people are living with.

Highlighting relevance of mental health and human psychology, he urged psychology students to not only study traditional psychology but also focus on relationship between personal experience and selfevolved human psychology.

The observance was also attended by MU School of Human and Environmental Sciences, dean professor S Jibonkumar Singh as president, and School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences dean professor Sumitra Phanjoubam as guest of honour while RIMS, Department of Psychiatry former head professor Dr RK Lenin Singh was the resource person.

Similarly, RIMS Department of Psychiatry observed World Mental Health Day 2024 at RIMS Jubilee Hall on Thursday in the presence of director professor G Sunilkumar Sharma as chief guest and Psychiatry HoD Dr S Gojendro as president, while RIMS Hospital medical superintendent Dr Nepram Sanjib and dean (academic) Dr Brogen Akoijam were present as guests of honour.

On the other hand, Lilong Haoreibi College, Research and Seminar Committee organised a national seminar on 'Mental Health Challenges and Strategic Exploration to Wellness' at the multipurpose hall of the College on Thursday in connection with World Mental Health Day 2024.The opening function of the seminar was attended by MU School of Agricultural Sciences dean professor GKN Chhetry, Lilong Haoreibi College principal professor Md A Sattar Shah and The Art Of Living Centre, Imphal international faculty M Razaque Rahman as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Health and Family Welfare Services former deputy director Dr O Romesh Singh also attended the programme as key speaker.

During the seminar, a souvenir 'NASMEW-2024' was released along with conduct of three technical sessions participated by research scholars and teachers from various colleges and universities.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Mental Hygiene (CMH) in association with Existence Halfway Home for Mentally Ill Persons and Flamingo Mental Health Care for Women commemorated World Mental Health Day on Thursday at the Changangei Uchekon premises of CMH with .

Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta Singh as chief guest and Health Services retired senior psychiatrist Dr H Angomcha Singh as guest of honour.

Mothers' Care Children Hospital & Research Centre director (medical) Dr Asit Kumar Debnath, CMH secretary Ch Pishakmacha Devi and project co-coordinator advocate Ningthoujam Nongpoknganba were resource persons at the observance.

CMH also announced a tele-counselling/in-person service and mental health screening and assessments for next three months for which interested persons may contact helpline number +916909366361.District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Thoubal under the aegis of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) also observed World Mental Health Day 2024 at the conference hall of the District and Sessions Court Complex, Khangabok.

The observance was attended by District & Sessions Judge, Thoubal cum DLSA chairman Samom Ibjen; Family Court, Thoubal Judge W Tonen Meitei; Thoubal Chief Judicial Magistrate cum DLSA secretary in-charge Dr Laishram Rina Devi; Thoubal JMFC Kshetrimayum Maheta Devi; Kakching JMFC Neera Sinam; and Thoubal District Bar Association secretary Ningthoujam Romio Singh, along with advocates, court staff and security personnel posted at the Court Complex.

An interaction programme was also held with RIMS Department of Clinical Psychology assistant professor Pampak Khumukcham, who was present as resource person at the event.

In Noney district, Management Committee of Makaam Hospital & Research Institute, Longmai Bazar commemorated World Mental Health Day by organising a mental health awareness programme at the hospital's conference hall on Thursday.

As resource persons of the programme, Noney district leprosy officer Dr Azin Maringmei, Dr Dinsibou Pamei, a researcher at Inner Ray Healthcare, and Makaam Hospital RMO Dr Guinungliu Gonmei addressed prevalent mental health issues in society and discussed various treatment and preventive measures.

The speakers highlighted that many youths are grappling with mental health issues exacerbated by alcohol and drug use, and emphasised the need for regular counselling programmes and rehabilitation centres in every town.

MHRI staffers, patients, and public of Longmai Bazar area attended the awareness programme.

College of Community Science, Tura, Meghalaya, a unit of Central Agricultural University, Imphal, also observed World Mental Health Day 2024 on the theme "Mental Health at Work" on Thursday.

The programme held at the conference hall of the college and coordinated by Department of Human Development and Family Studies assistant professor Dr Narmada Hidangmayum, was attended teaching and non-teaching staff of the college, and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in East and South Garo Hills.

Delivering the welcome address, Dean of the College Dr Jyoti V Vastrad stressed the role of educational institutions in creating environments that prioritise mental health, and need for collective efforts to break the stigma surrounding mental health at workplace.

Narayana Health, Bengaluru, programme manager Nagaraja Pani focused on the impact of stress, fear, and trauma on both mental and physical health.

The event was also made accessible online via Google Meet, allowing wider participation.

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