Dr Lenin encourages public to utilise Tele MANAS
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 27 2023: RIMS psychiatry department's professor Dr RK Lenin has encouraged the public to use the tele-medicine service, Tele-MANAS to seek mental health support.

As chief guest of the World Mental Health Day observance jointly organised by District Mental Health Programme, DHS Imphal East, and Share & Care, Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal under the theme 'Mental health is universal human right' at Panchayat Bhavan, DC office complex, Imphal East on Friday, Dr Lenin, who is also the founder of Share & Care, said that mental health awareness is relatively high in the state when compared with other states of the country.

People no more hide mental health issues today as they begin to take it as a serious issue requiring intervention, especially when it comes to younger generation.

However, older generations are still reluctant to consider mental health as a healthissue.

Once this outlook is changed, the awareness activities on mental health could decrease, other wise, there is still need for vigorous awareness activities and concerted efforts, he said while urging the media to play a major role in this regard.

The observance function in previous years were mainly participated by students and people from different sections of the society.

However, this year's observance mainly targets the displaced people living in relief camps and volunteers managing the relief camps.

Relief camps in the state are run and managed by public volunteers and not by government officials.

Earlier, people perceived that the crisis may last maximum of three months but it has crossed six months with the volunteers dedicating their lives to help the displaced families sacrificing own responsibilities to their families.

Besides, it is a tough task to manage the relief camps, which is why the observance, this year, targets them as well, said Dr Lenin, who expressed his desire to organise a stress management programme for media persons in coordination with AMWJU.

Dr Lenin further said that people suffering from anxiety and depression is high in the state.

The society should not ignore such people as they require emotional support.

In fact, depression is the second most major health issue in the world and it can be classified as an invisible pandemic, he maintained.

Recognising the importance of mental health, the Central government introduced National Tele MANAS Scheme on the occasion of World Mental Health Day last year.

The main objective of the scheme is to provide free tele-mental health service to people in remote areas, who cannot get access to professional mental healthcare service providers.

One can dial the toll free number 14416 from 9.30 am to 5 pm to get free counselling.

Once the centre has full staff Strength, it will provide service 24x7, he said.

The professor further informed that Manipur ranks third in making calls to Tele MANAS among small states.

Generally counselling is more effective with face to face interaction.

However, Tele MANAS expands the reach of mental healthcare providers to a wider population and helps in providing the needed support to many, he said.

Stating that mental health issue can be treated successfully, Dr Lenin said that role of family members is paramount in providing timely and effective treatment.

Imphal East ADC Ng Jogendra Khumancha and DHS Imphal East mission director and CMO IE Dr L Indira attended the programme as chief guest and president respectively while district mental health programme, Imphal East nodal officer Dr Md Abdus Sabir was present as guest of honour.

A technical session on 'Care of the caregivers' was held as part of the observance, during which an interaction with volunteers of relief camps was conducted with Dr RK Lenin as the resource person.

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