Men's mental health workshop held in Dimapur

Dimapur, June 22 (MExN): To mark Men’s Mental Health Month this June, a workshop aimed at addressing the psychological challenges faced by men and dismantling societal stigma surrounding the issue was held on Friday in Dimapur.

Organised by Lapiye Center for Mental Wellbeing in collaboration with the Department of Psychology, Tetso College, and Thilixü Village Baptist Church, the event brought together educators, clergy, government officials, and mental health professionals for a day of dialogue and awareness-building.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Nouzhienino Peseyie, Head of the Department of Psychology at Tetso College, said men are often discouraged from seeking help due to rigid gender roles and the stigma associated with mental health issues. “We must change our understanding of strength—it includes seeking help when needed,” she said.

The workshop was chaired Mr V Vikithe Sumi, Youth Pastor at Thilixü Village Baptist Church, while the invocation was delivered by Dr Hotoli Sumi, former Women Secretary of the Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK).

In her address as Guest of Honour, Katoli V Sumi, Women Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), underscored the relevance of counselling not only for mental illness but also to mentally equip oneself in everyday life. “Therapy and counselling can be tools to enhance our overall well-being,” she said.

Short messages were also delivered by T Shikato Jimo, Senior Inspector at the District Welfare Office, and Mr Boqhito K Chishi, Associate Pastor at Thilixü Village Baptist Church. Both speakers acknowledged the barriers men face in expressing emotional struggles and emphasised the importance of support systems and vulnerability.

Students from Tetso College performed a role play depicting a man battling mental illness and a friend reaching out to him, illustrating the power of empathy and intervention.

Lovitoli, proprietor of the Lapiye Center, led a segment titled “Breaking the Barriers,” discussing underlying causes of mental health disorders among men such as substance abuse, abandonment, and trauma. She also conducted a guided retrospection and meditation session aimed at encouraging stress relief and emotional introspection.

Calling for openness in conversations about failure, grief, and identity, she urged men to seek therapy, embrace emotional support, and explore diverse career paths.