Participants during the panel discussion organised by Mental Health Support Group and CMHP, Prodigals’ Home in Dimapur on November 5.
Dimapur, November 5 (MExN): A panel discussion on ‘Understanding Mental Health Issues – Naga Context’ was organised by Mental Health Support Group and CMHP, Prodigals’ Home at Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur on November 5.
The organisers stated in a press release that the panellists were Dr Temsuyanger, Psychiatrist, SMO, DMHP and Fr Joe Mariadhas, Director, Shalom Rehabilitation Centre, Chümoukedima.
‘Treatment works’
Dr Temsuyanger spoke specifically on misconceptions related to mental health disorder and cautioned the gathering not to fall prey to misconceptions. Asserting that ‘treatment works,’ he encouraged the gathering not to shy away from seeking help when the need arises.
Highlighting that many people confuse between acute and chronic mental illness, he said it often lead to misunderstanding about the illness. Acute mental illness, as opposed to chronic, is short term and often the issue gets resolved even without medication or treatment. Chronic is when the mental illness prolongs for long and needs medical intervention besides psychological counselling and spiritual intervention.
‘Addiction is a serious issue’
Fr Joe dwelled on the definition and importance of mental health, concept of counselling, role of counsellors, role of churches in addressing the issue of mental health/illness and how we must be open minded when dealing with persons with mental illness, persons who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Highlighting that addiction to drugs and alcohol is a serious issue, Fr Joe also stressed that there are other kinds of addiction which we all need to introspect. “In one way or the other, we all have mental health issues and thus stressed on the importance of seeking help just as we seek help for physical issues,” he stated.
Awareness in community
K Ela, Director of Prodigals’ Home shared about the concept, strategy, success and challenges of Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) funded by Azim Premji Foundation since June 2020 and how the programme has brought much awareness in the community whilst making the organization more aware and educated on the issue of mental health.
She shared how the program has positively impacted many families that had no solution in sight until they started their journey with CMHP.
Talking about the challenges, she said that there is still so much stigma and misconception surrounding the issue related to mental illness and thus, stressed that much more awareness, education and sensitization has to be created at all levels.
‘Naga society has feminised mental illness’
K Nifato Chishi, Acting Secy, DoYM, WSBAK, was the observer of the day’s panel discussion. He stated that Naga society has feminised mental illness and thus, likened it to an illness that should not affect a male; this, he said is fuelling toxic masculinity and thereby stigmatising the illness further.
He pointed out that the conflict of culture, vis-a-vis Naga culture and foreign culture is also creating havoc in the lives of youngsters. Sharing from personal experience, he said that one should never judge a person without understanding the underlying factors that makes the person behave as he/she does.
He pointed out that the Church can do so much in addressing the issue of mental illness but owing mostly to ignorance, the issue is not addressed as it should.
Earlier, Sachin Jaiswal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, in his keynote address stressed on the importance of mental health and talking about the issues at various levels.
He lamented on the fact that there is shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals in the State of Nagaland and thereby, many people are deprived of much needed services.
The DC stated that the world we live in is stressful and particularly pointed that students these days face much pressure to perform better and often leading them to mental health problems. He concluded by saying that timely intervention related to mental health is very important and that timely intervention can help reduce the burden to a large extent.
The programme was chaired by Lisali Humtsoe, Founder and Director of Gracious Life Foundation, invocation by Rev Dr Vezopa Tetseo, Sr Pastor, Chakhesang Baptist Church, Diphupar and benediction by Yanpvulo J Ovung, women leader, Lotha Baptist Church, Diphupar.
