Wokha, July 28 (MExN): The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) in Wokha held a workshop focused on mental health and life skills for youths at the Wokha Town Baptist Church (WTBC) on July 27.
The event featured presentations from Amenla Longkumer, a clinical psychologist, and Lireni Tungoe, a psychiatric nurse with DMHP Wokha.
Lireni Tungoe led the first session, where she emphasized the importance of life skills as fundamental components of behavior that are essential for leading a meaningful life. She discussed various stressors faced by adolescents and the associated physical and mental symptoms. Tungoe also shared techniques for coping with stress and conducted a practical session on deep breathing exercises with the participants.
Amenla Longkumer focused on the development of mental health skills through observation, training, and practice, highlighting the role of creativity in mental well-being. She encouraged individuals with mental health concerns to seek professional help without hesitation.
"Gratitude is a powerful human emotion as it releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions leading to happiness and peace," Longkumer explained. She also informed participants about the availability of mental health experts through the Tele-Manas toll-free number, 14416. The workshop saw participation from more than 94 youths.
In a related event, DMHP Wokha organized a similar life skills program for caregivers on July 18 at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital in Wokha. Dr. Phyobemo Ngullie, a retired psychiatrist, was the resource person for this session. Dr. Ngullie provided practical skills and techniques for dealing with psychiatric patients and shared success stories of patients who have regained normal lives. He emphasized that mental illness can be treated and prevented, urging caregivers to spread mental health information within the community.
Nrithung Philip, a psychiatric social worker with DMHP, addressed the stigma associated with mental illness and the challenges faced by caregivers.
Educational materials and posters on mental health were distributed to the 18 participants who attended the program.
