The Department of Health & Family Welfare observed World Mental health Day on 10th October 2022 at IDSP Hall, DHFW under the theme “Make Mental Health & Well-being for all a Global Priority”.
Principal Director, Dr. K Vikato Kinimi, in his exhortation, rued that every year lakhs of students, parents, and the general population fall under depression and frustration for numerous reasons and that leads to mental health issues which are very concerning. Mental illness and its symptoms have been prominently evident with the present generation because of which we have lost many precious lives. He said the Department has to play a very vital role in society to eradicate mental sickness and save lives.
Dr. T. Wabang, Director (FW), in his keynote address, highlighted that the sole objective of observing World Mental Health Day is to create awareness about mental illness.
It has been observed since 1992 with the initiatives of the Global Health Organization. He stated further "like our body our mind also becomes ill and disturbed which leads to abnormal behavior of an individual”. According to WHO 6-7% of the general population suffers from mental illness and about 1% of general Indians (9 million population) suffer from severe mental illness & about 10% from minor mental illness which often goes unnoticed. In Nagaland 20,000 approx. are suffering from severe mental illness and two lakhs minor mental illnesses. In addition to the existing health problems, many aspects of mental health have been challenged due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that there is a rise in both anxiety and depression disorders by 25% during the first year of the pandemic. Therefore, it is only necessary that mental health awareness should be propagated diligently to fight this illness together, and also mental health awareness should be recognized, promoted, and protected.
Dr. C. Kezo, Dy/Director SPO, NMHP highlighted T-MANAS which is an initiative of GOI and has been announced by the Union Finance Minister in the Union Budget in February 2022. T-MANAS which stands for “Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across State” envisions providing universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable, and quality mental health care through 24x7 Tele mental health services as a digital component of the NMHP across all Indian states/UTs to exponentially scale up the reach of mental health services to anybody who reaches out and to implement a full-fledged mental health services network that in addition to counseling provides integrated medical and psychological interventions including video consultations with mental health specialists, e-prescription, follow-up service and linkage to in-person services. It also aims to extend services to vulnerable groups of populations and difficult-to-reach populations. Dr. Kezo suggested that to implement T-MANAS in the state the existing resources and platforms are to be mapped and partnerships to be strengthened to ensure mental health services to the entire population especially vulnerable groups.
(DIPR)
