SHILLONG: The first Regional Symposium on Mental Health organized by the department of Counselling Psychology, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) concluded at the University’s campus in Nongrah here on Thursday.
The two-day programme, organized under the theme “Living with Schizophrenia”, aimed at creating awareness among students and even mental health professionals.
Organized in collaboration with Bethany Society and SAN-KER, the regional symposium on mental health was the first of its kind event to be held in the Northeastern region. Counsellors and other mental health professionals from the State and other parts of the NE attended the programme.
Director, SAN-KER, Dr. Sandi Syiem, Assistant Professor Dept of Psychiatry, NEIGRIHMS Dr. Arvind Nongpiur and Psychaitrist, Dr. H G Roberts Hospital, Shillong, Dr. Eddie Mukhim were among the keynote speakers in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Syiem said that educating the masses about mental health problems and schizophrenia is a must to treat such people in an appropriate and professional manner.
While stating that there are many factors that can cause a person to become schizophrenic, Dr Syiem clarified that the disorder is curable and not caused by hot food.
Dr. Syiem also advocated the need for a proper and separate Act to deal with people suffering from mental illnesses. He added that the only 17% of the total health care expenditure is spent on mental health care leaving the amount of funds in the sector wanting.
On the second day of the symposium, Dr. Eddie Mukhim spoke about the different tools and strategies to prevent mental illness. He said that though the symptoms may vary from person to person, inculcating positive lifestyle from an early age can reduce the risk of mental illnesses.
