Mental health need of the hour for scribes

SHILLONG, Nov 16: National Press Day was celebrated on Monday in which the “Role of media during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on media was discussed” where the focus of attention was on the mental health of the media fraternity.
Information and Public Relations Minister, James Sangma said that the media are key stakeholders in every form of government and hoped that the media churns out meaningful stories that will keep the government accountable. He said that having a strong mental health is the need of the hour. He said that the media is the accountability partner of the MDA government.
The resource person for the programme, consultant psychiatrist, Supercare Hospital, Chayanika Sarma said that people need to stay calm and face the situation bravely and briefly addressed issues on mental health. She went on to add that lack of adequate knowledge leads to stress and believing in myths proves detrimental to the overall health in the current situation. According to her, writing news items that are motivational, inspiring news should be taken up by the media.