Interaction programme on "Mental Health and Psychosocial Support" held
Source: The Sangai Express

Tamenglong, June 15 2021: An Online Interaction programme with children residing at child care institutions on the topic "Mental Health and Psychosocial Support" was organized by District Legal Services Authority, Tamenglong with an objective to keep children residing in child care institutions mentally and physically fit during ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Children from the Zauzian Children Home for Girls, Jaithau Children Home for Boys and Macarius Home (SAA) of Tamenglong District, Manipur run by Indigenous Women And Children Foundation, Tamenglong took part in the interaction programme.

Aribam Guneshwar Sharma, the District & Sessions Judge, Imphal West cum Chairman, DLSA Tamenglong while delivering the Keynote address stated that because of the present pandemic, normal activities are totally changed.

Most of the people are confined to their homes.

This pandemic causes mental and psychological imbalance to us which affects most particularly children.

During this pandemic, the DLSA Tamenglong organized such an online interaction programme for the betterment of our children who are residing in child care institutions, he added.

Dr Rk Lenin Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, RIMS Hospital delivered a lecture on mental health and psychosocial support as a resource person.

He shared his views, opinions and experiences regarding how this pandemic affects our young minds, how to stay physically and mentally fit, how to overcome our panic etc.

Dr Rk Lenin advised the participants to avoid rumours and urged them to follow the guidelines provided by the Government and World Health Organization.

The resource person also advised the children to wear masks properly and wash their hands with soap frequently.

The Superintendents and caregivers of the Homes were also advised to provide at least 5 masks made of clothes to each and every child so that the children could change their mask every day.

The mask made of clothes should be washed properly with soap or detergent and hung up in the sun.

During the pandemic, the children in Homes need more care and protection than during normal time.

Their living place should be hygienic.

Hygienic washrooms should be maintained.

It should be a homely place.

The caretakers must also take care of themselves.

It is also advised to call 104 as and when anyone needs to talk with Doctors regarding mental health free of cost as OPD remained closed, he asserted.

Regarding symptoms of stress and depression, the resource person stated that if a child has loss of appetite, sadness, sleep disorder, unable to enjoy, it may not be a problem if it is for 1 or 2 days.

However, if it continues for a longer period, the child may need professional advice.

Counselling can cure persons with mild symptoms.

For others, medications would be required, he added.

Later, a brief interactive session was held with the children and staff of the Homes.

During the interaction, the resource persons stated that there is therapy for all mental disorders.

The resource person talked about extreme mood change, confused thinking, lack of concentration, post traumatic effect etc.

On a question asked by a small child regarding teasing, the resource person advised the child to report such an incident to the concerned caregivers/officials.

The resource person advised all the children to do some physical activities and also to follow all the guidelines as prescribed by the Government in order to protect themselves from Covid-19 pandemic.

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