SHILLONG: The 41st Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society is being held in Shillong for the first time, at the State Convention Center under the theme “Dignity in Mental Health.”
The conference souvenir and the Eastern Journal of Psychiatry, which is the official publication of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Eastern Zone were released on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Rose Bathew, former UPSC Chairperson said, “Dignity is something we all strive for, but the mentally ill do not have any identity, there is a need for psychiatrists to help people overcome the disease.”
She also observed that in Meghalaya there are negligible number of psychiatrists and she stressed that medical students should take up psychiatry “to help the society at large.”
Dr Addie Mukhim, psychiatrist of H.G.Gordon Robert Hospital said “there is stigma against the mentally ill persons, hence the theme.”
“There is a need to maintain dignity in the family, society, healthcare in spite of the mental illness,” he added.
As many as 300 mental health professionals from East zone, West Bengal, Odisha participated in the event.
Among the attendees were Dr.Asim Kumar Mallick, President, Indian Psychiatric Society, Dr. Sandi Syiem, Organising Secretary, A.G.Ahangar, Director, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Medical Health and Sciences(NEIGRIHMS) and many others.
The programme was observed as part of the World Mental Health Week which began on October 4 and will conclude on October 10, which is known worldwide as World Mental Health Day.
There will be an awareness walk followed by panel discussion
