Kohima: Nagaland on Monday (October 10) observed World Mental Health Day with a call to do away with the social stigma associated with mental illness so that those afflicted by it come forward for early intervention. A programme was organised by State Mental Health Institute Kohima (SMHIK), the premier mental hospital in Nagaland, on the theme “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority”. Addressing the gathering, the senior medical officer of the institute Dr. Viketoulie Pienyu said mental illness causes laziness, restlessness, irritation, and zero productivity.
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Stressing the need to overcome the stigma and discrimination against those suffering from mental illness, he said it would help the affected people to open up so that the illness can be treated.
In this context, he sought the support of all, including the government.
Dr. Pienyu expressed satisfaction that the leaders are realising the need for mentally healthy citizens due to which the Central government has listed mental health among the top 10 priorities of the government.
“One must learn to preserve one’s mental health as it is very important to have a productive and healthy life,” he said while stressing the need to have 7-8 hours of proper sleep, regular exercise, socialising, and spending time with family.
He also discouraged people from indulging in substance abuse. SMHIK Medical Superintendent Dr Khriesilie Sachü said that too much depression and anxiety may also cause mental illness.
He requested those facing such challenges to seek counselling and treatment.
Also Read: WHO Regional Director Calls For Intensified Action To Achieve Mental Health Care
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NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
