Manipur on Sunday joined the rest of the world in observing the 30th World Mental Health Day under the theme ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ at Indian Medical Association Hall, Lamphelpat, Imphal West.
The observance was organised by National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), National Health Mission, Manipur.
Attending the programme as chief guest, Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam said that mental health issues are one of the most neglected public health issues due to stigma and discrimination. It is high time to remove such discrimination as without mental health there is no physical health.
He continued that the state government has already initiated to open a mental hospital in Manipur. On the other hand, the effort given by district mental health services is highly appreciable and people should come forward to fight this issue.
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He also informed that with the support of the National Health Mission, the Social Welfare department is planning to provide training to school teachers and local volunteers on the first aid treatment on mental health issues.
Other dignitaries who attended the programme were National Health Mission, Manipur, state mission director, Dr N Shyamjai; Manipur State Legal Services Authority member and advocate, Chongtham Momin; and RIMS Department of Psychiatry head, RK Lenin as president and guests of honour respectively.
As a part of the function, prizes were distributed to the winners of a one-minute short video competition on ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.
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