Mount Everest College hosts workshop on mental health advocacy and resilience
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, February 19 2026: In a significant move to prioritize psychological well-being within the academic community, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), in collaboration with the Counselling Cell of Mount Everest College, Senapati organized a one-day workshop on Mental Health today at the College Auditorium.

The initiative follows a directive from the Directorate of University and Higher Education, Government of Manipur (GOM), aimed at cascading specialized training on mental well-being, protection norms, and grievance redressal mechanisms from trained faculty to the grassroots college level.

The proceedings were moderated by Kateni.

Assistant Professor, Department of Botany.

The session commenced with an opening prayer by the Students' Facilitator, setting a solemn tone for the day's deliberations.

Delivering the welcome and keynote address, Asst Prof Niomchung Jatak Chiru, IQAC coordinator, defined mental health as a vital state of wellbeing that enables individuals to manage life's stresses and realize their full potential.

He provided a comprehensive overview of common conditions, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia, while emphasizing the role of biological and environmental factors in mental health.

He urged students to adopt "Square breathing," regular exercise, and healthy social boundaries as tools for building resilience.

The technical session was led by College counsellor Sangailung Gonmei, who anchored his presentation on the World Health Organization (WHO) definition: "There can be no physical health without mental health".

Gonmei presented alarming statistics, noting that 1 in 7 adolescents globally lives with a diagnosed mental health condition.

Turning the focus to India, he highlighted that nearly 20-25% of Indian youth suffer from depression or substance abuse.

"With 40% of Indian teenagers reporting stress as their primary concern in 2024, the institutional environment must act as a protective factor," Gonmei remarked.

The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students engaged with experts on managing academic pressure and social media influence.

The formal program drew to a close with a vote of thanks proposed by Asst Prof Alen Chiru, followed by the National Anthem and a closing benediction by the Chaplain, SP Simeon.

Comment