Odisha govt to develop strategy to deal with mental health concerns

By express news service

BHUBANESWAR: The state government will develop a strategic framework regarding capacity building for early detection, community awareness activities and immediate intervention in health care facilities to deal with increasing cases of mental illness.

This was decided at a two-day regional workshop on ‘Emerging Trends in Suicide Prevention’ held at the Institute of Mental Health’s Center of Excellence (CoE), SCB MCH. Health experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), medical schools and hospitals, WHO representative in the country, state government officials, National Health Mission, representatives from different related departments shared their views and learning experiences to frame the strategy for suicide. prevention in the state.

The framework will be prepared focusing on raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, reducing access to harmful substances, firearms, strengthening support systems at the individual, family, work, school/university level with intersectoral advocacy and coordination .

Public Health Director Dr. Niranjan Mishra said that if one person commits suicide, four or five people try to take their own life for one reason or another. The appropriate intervention to prevent it is to identify people who are on the verge of suicide and it is only possible with the participation of family, friends and community members, he said.

“All related departments, including Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, SC&ST, Labor and Education, would be involved in developing the framework to provide care and support to prevent suicide in the community,” Dr. Mishra said. .

Emphasizing early diagnosis and proper counseling, NIMHANS Director Dr Pratima Murthy said mental health is paramount and receiving treatment for mental disorders is not a luxury but a necessity. “The Odisha government’s intervention for mental health during Covid is exemplary,” she said, adding that other states should also take initiatives for suicide prevention. Health officials and mental health experts from neighboring Jharkhand and West Bengal also attended the workshop.

</p><script data-noptimize="" data-wpfc-render="false"> fpm_start( "true" ); </script> <p>BHUBANESWAR: The state government will develop a strategic framework regarding capacity building for early detection, community awareness activities and immediate intervention in health care facilities to deal with increasing cases of mental illness. This was decided at a two-day regional workshop on ‘Emerging Trends in Suicide Prevention’ held at the Institute of Mental Health’s Center of Excellence (CoE), SCB MCH. Health experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), medical schools and hospitals, WHO representative in the country, state government officials, National Health Mission, representatives from different related departments shared their views and learning experiences to frame the strategy for suicide. prevention in the state. The framework will be prepared focusing on raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, reducing access to harmful substances, firearms, strengthening support systems at the individual, family, work, school/university level with intersectoral advocacy and coordination . Public Health Director Dr. Niranjan Mishra said that if one person commits suicide, four or five people try to take their own life for one reason or another. The appropriate intervention to prevent it is to identify people who are on the verge of suicide and it is only possible with the participation of family, friends and community members, he said. “All related departments, including Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, SC&ST, Labor and Education, would be involved in developing the framework to provide care and support to prevent suicide in the community,” Dr. Mishra said. . Emphasizing early diagnosis and proper counseling, NIMHANS Director Dr Pratima Murthy said mental health is paramount and receiving treatment for mental disorders is not a luxury but a necessity. “The Odisha government’s intervention for mental health during Covid is exemplary,” she said, adding that other states should also take initiatives for suicide prevention. Health officials and mental health experts from neighboring Jharkhand and West Bengal also attended the workshop.<br />