One in every eight individuals in Manipur is grappling with mental health issues, a figure that translates to 20 out of every 100 people, significantly higher than the national average of 10 in 100, revealed Keisham Pradipkumar, chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR).
Speaking at a state-level conference on addressing mental health concerns among children in Child Care Institutes (CCIs), Pradipkumar highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing violence in the state over the last 16 months have exacerbated mental health challenges.
The conference, held at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal on Tuesday, was jointly organised by the MCPCR, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Karmayogi Multipurpose Co-Operative Society Limited.
It gathered around 55 CCIs under the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, which collectively house approximately 2,000 children across the state.
Pradipkumar emphasised the need for creating a calm and nurturing atmosphere in these care facilities, urging caregivers not to apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
Instead, he suggested personalised care through Individual Care Plans (ICPs) and tailored counselling sessions, which, he believes, can significantly improve the mental well-being of children in the institutes.
With mental health concerns on the rise, the chairperson stressed the importance of implementing proper policy programmes that address the unique needs of children in CCIs.
“When there is Individual Care Planning followed by proper counseling with a structured program, these children can be saved from severe mental health issues,” Pradipkumar added.
