Sensitisation programme on mental health at Chümoukedima Town Council hall on October 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | October 8
Highlighting the legal provisions provided under the NALSA (Legal Services to the Mentally Ill and Mentally Disabled Persons) Scheme, 2015, Rokovitsu Khate, Panel Lawyer, Dimapur District Legal Service Authority (DDLSA) stated that these laws were enacted so as to ensure patients get equal rights and dignity as per the law.
As per the act, “the objective is to ensure that the mentally ill or mentally disabled are not stigmatized and they are dealt with as individuals who are to be helped to enforce all rights they are entitled to and as assured to them by law.”
He was speaking during the sensitisation programme on mental health as part of the 10-day awareness campaign for World Mental Health day (October 10) organised by CMHP Prodigals Home and a host of other government entities at Chümoukedima Town Council hall on October 8.
Khate mentioned that parts of the guiding principle of the Act reaffirm the notion of mental illness being curable on proper medication and care, including the need to distinguish between mentally disabled persons and mentally ill persons. “They are also entitled to all human rights and fundamental freedoms so it is our duty to promote, protect and ensure them,” he said.
He further noted that the right to get treatment and avail proper health care, emanating from Article 21 of the Constitution, were equally applicable to individuals with mental disorders. This also includes taking prior informed consent from them in such cases.
Khate underlined several risks factors involved such as exploitation and abuse, particularly for women who were the most vulnerable. ‘The law enforcement agencies should prevent the sexual exploitation of women who are mentally ill and quite prevalent in the state,’ he asserted.
KM Munesh, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chümoukedima shared about her personal experiences in dealing with stress and depression. She said having a positive attitude would help mitigate mental disorder. Support from family members is also important in this aspect.
Dr Temsuyanger, SMO (Psychiatrist), DMHP, Dimapur discussed on the priority areas which the stakeholders could proactively participate in for the benefit of persons with mental disorders.
He mentioned the need to create zonal psychiatrists to mitigate the lack of professionals in the state, improvement of facilities at DMHP centres, massive awareness at grassroots level and setting up of government run shelter homes.
