TURA: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh has stressed on disseminating more awareness about mental health issues including other alternative activities to the people in consideration of the effect of COVID-19 — lockdown on livelihood, shutdown of educational institutions and anxiety related to jobs and career prospects, etc.
Speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of World Mental Health Day at PA Sangma Stadium, Dakopgre, on Saturday, the DC lauded the initiative of the District Legal Services Authority, West Garo Hills, which organised the event in collaboration with Health and Social Welfare department, and JA’PANG, a centre for mental health and alternative education, Tura.
The programme was thematised on ‘Mental Health for all, Greater Investment-Greater Access’.
The DC pointed out that according to the data available with the department of Health and Social Welfare, in Garo Hills region, mostly married women, who are victims of domestic violence, are suffering from mental health issues which also lead to suicidal tendencies. This issue is also related to alcoholism and substance abuse in men which have led few of them to depression, he added.
Clinical Psychologist, DMHP, Tura Civil Hospital, Narbecca G Momin, explained in detail about the importance and promotion of mental health and mental illness adding treatment needs to be taken immediately when a person faces these problems.
Momin highlighted the various causes of mental illness and said that such patients need to be observed and due care needs to be taken before it gets worse. However, due to social stigma, most of the people fear to avail the treatment facilities provided in the district, she informed, and requested everyone to come forward and get themselves treated and be free from the disease in future.
Legal Counsel, District Legal Services Authority, Rania Marak, Founder JA’PANG, Balmuri K Marak were among others who spoke on the occasion.
As part of the occasion, awareness campaigns were also organised at Te’tengkol Junction, Babupara Junction, Chandmary Junction and Chandmary Field, Tura.