‘Need to mobilise resources for mental health care in Nagaland’

October 2, 2022 37 Views No Comment

Prodigals’ Home launches 10-day awareness campaign for World Mental Health day

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 2

In anticipation of World Mental Health Day (‘Make Mental Health & Well-being for all a Global Priority’) on October 10, a launching programme of 10-day awareness campaign was jointly organised by Prodigals’ Home and State Commissioners for Persons with Disability at DC conference hall, Dimapur on October 1.

Highlighting several of the challenges that needed to be surmounted by all stakeholders involved, Dr Temsuyanger, SMO, DMHP, Dimapur said, Nagaland still lacks the basic necessities involved in providing healthcare facilities for mental health patients. “Has any investment happened in regard to mental health? That is a big question we have to ask ourselves,” he stated.

Regretting that the celebration of World Mental Health day annually in the State takes place without any concrete results on the ground, the medical official hoped for a better outcome this year.

He mentioned the lack of any shelter homes for the homeless in Dimapur is one among the several underlying challenges, especially for those who are abandoned by their own families due to their mental disorder, alcohol or drug addiction. “We either need a government run shelter home or by an NGO, financially supported by the government,” he said.

Massive awareness drives in all the corners of Dimapur also needed to be carried out, including the districts of Niuland and Chümoukedima. It should be a collective effort of the Social welfare department, medical department, administration, jail authorities and NGOs, including the streamline of inmates at the district jub-jail and Central jail, to identity persons suffering from mental illness, the SMO stated.

For all these to take place, the SMO noted that each stakeholder needed to be involved and motivated and asserted, “Mental health needs to be taken seriously as it affects every individual today.”

Mhalo Humtsoe, ADC, Dimapur shared the pressing matters of mental disorders as it leads to several other consequences throughout society. She revealed that teenagers are also among the most vulnerable group to be affected by it. “When we talk about mental health, the National Mental Health survey, 10% of the population is suffering from some form of mental illness,” she commented.

Further observing, substance abuse has become one of the most pressing issues today, particularly with the rise in drug use among young adults, she said, “This is the magnitude of issues we are looking at.”

K Ela, Director of Prodigals’ Home, mentioned that considerable level of ignorance still persists within the community to this day, and stigmatising and discriminating people with mental illness in particular is an ongoing challenge. “Through the launch of the 10-day awareness campaign, it will bring out the desired results,” Ela affirmed.

During this period, a series of events have been scheduled to take place across Dimapur and Chümoukedima. Particularly in educational institutions, government institutions, police stations, churches and villages.

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/need-to-mobilise-resources-for-mental-health-care-in-nagaland