Akangjungla
The UNICEF’s global flagship publication, The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: Promoting, Protecting And Caring For Children’s Mental Health reveals that worldwide, an estimate of more than 13% of adolescents globally live with a mental disorder. In Nagaland, mental health and related issues are slowly gaining momentum and significance with the active resourcefulness of non government organisations, individuals, educational institutions and health care services.
With the purpose to make a difference for the scenario of mental health in Nagaland, Serendip Guardians an NGO based in Dimapur has been operating for nearly eight years since 2014. They have been engaging in programmes such as counselling, gate-keeping on suicide prevention, working with Church leaders and pastors on child mental health. Rini Gose, Director of Serendip Guardians shares of the positive shift in the people’s perspective during the pandemic ‘in terms of people being aware of mental health while getting educated and realising the need to know more about mental health.’ Imlibenla Mongro, clinical-psychologist at the Department of Counselling, Christian Institute of Health Science and Research, Dimapur agrees with Rini as she states how in the past, people with mental health conditions were only talked about in a hush manner. But now, many people are coming forward seeking help, due to which more professionals are needed in this field to help cater to the rising demands.
While there is progress in terms of openness and acceptance to the ‘idea’ of mental health, the factors of stigma and discrimination remains the biggest challenge and there is an urgency to address these factors. According to a mental health practitioner in State Mental Health Institute, Kohima, Nagas between the age groups of 15 and 30 are most susceptible to mental illnesses; another Psychiatrist at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima has remarked that Nagaland might even have a higher ratio comparing to the WHO survey where one in every four people across the globe lives with mental health condition. With barely any data and statistics available in Nagaland, the fact remains that this data reflects the concerning evidence of mental illness in the Naga homes and society.
A clinical-psychologist at the State Mental Health Institute, Kohima during an interview has disclosed that ‘patients are being brought in from different districts, all whose symptoms are blown out making it difficult for intervention.’ A senior official at the institute has mentioned that ‘stigma, ignorance, misconceptions and lack of awareness restrains people from coming forward to avail mental health treatment.’ The shame and stigma attached around mental illness especially in the Naga culture and communities is a major barrier to people from accessing mental health services and it is amplifying the task to address mental health issues.
As a way forward, the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland envisions to ‘create awareness generation activities on social stigma associated with mental disorders, suicide prevention, other mental illness etc through training, interpersonal communication, IEC, schools and churches visits, outreach activities etc.’ However, there are evidence of several lapses in Nagaland’s mental health care system as the only State Mental Health Institute in the State Capital continues to require more development and attention.
While the challenges continues to lingers around, there is an absolute need for individuals, communities and the health workers to let go of stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours towards mental illness. To challenge the stigma associated with mental illness and to see a substantial positive result, would be the greatest moral contribution towards making the world a better place. At the time when the WHO is giving a global call to observe 2022 World Mental Health Day (October 10) on the theme ‘Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority’, every intentional choice has to be made to become a part of its vision to see that ‘mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.’
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