Kenei Ritse and Neiketunuo Sechu with others during Phase 2 awareness campaign on mental health and substance abuse. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima| September 14
In the phase two of “Breaking the Silence: A Mental Health and Substance Abuse awareness campaign,” the organizing team ACTS (Aid Care Trust Support) under BWAP (Beauty with A Purpose) project covered a total of three states in the North East India.
Kenei Ritse, Miss Northeast 2023 gave sessions on mental health awareness and Neiketunuo Sechu, Miss Nagaland 2023 on substance abuse and led the pledge for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
The states being covered were Nagaland (Mon), Arunachal Pradesh (Namsai) and Assam (Digboi).
The campaign witnessed more than 1000 participants.
With many stigmas tied to mental health and substance abuse, the campaign emphasized that people often fear being judged or misunderstood, which can make it difficult to seek help.
Terms like "mental health issues" and "substance abuse" can carry negative connotations, leading to feelings of shame or isolation, it stated.
This campaign was carried out collaboration with IGAR North, Social Welfare Department, Nagaland, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan-KU and KSU(in Mon), Arunachal University of Studies(in Namsai), and Recovery Wellness Society, Mahila Mahavidyalaya and ASACS (in Digboi).
This was stated by Burakum Ao, Director, ACTS.
