Nagaland beauty queens lead campaign to break the silence on mental health and substance abuse

“Mental illness is not a choice”

MT Exclusive

Mokokchung | 29 August

Miss Northeast 2023, Kenei Ritse, declared that “Mental illness is not a choice. Mental illness is not attention-seeking. Mental illness is not an insult,” as she led the ‘Breaking the Silence Phase I (Nagaland)’ campaign in Mokokchung.

The event, held at Hentry Hall near the Assam Rifles Playground, is part of a broader mental health and substance abuse awareness campaign presented by KRIPA, ACTS Foundation. Organized by Assam Rifles in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland, the campaign aims to address the stigmas associated with mental illness and substance abuse.

Having already visited Pfutsero and Zunheboto, the campaign will continue to Wokha and Dimapur in Nagaland and the neighboring state, Arunachal Pradesh.

As a psychology graduate and mental health advocate, Ritse emphasized the interconnectedness of substance abuse and mental health, urging for an integrated approach to treatment.

“Mental illness, despite being prevalent, is often ignored,” Ritse stated, drawing a parallel between society’s sympathy for cancer patients and its reluctance to support those with mental illness. “That is the stigma we need to break,” she asserted, highlighting that 15% of the world population go through depression once in the life.

Ritse called for empathy, kindness, and community support to address mental health issues. Reflecting on her own misconceptions about addiction, she acknowledged that her internship at Kripa Foundation changed her perspective on the challenges of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. “We need to educate ourselves on the relationship between mental health and substance abuse,” she added.

Miss Nagaland 2022, Hikali Achumi, who serves as the ambassador for the Anti-Drug Campaign in Nagaland, also addressed the gathering. She highlighted the need to prevent the current generation from repeating the mistakes of the past, particularly the baby boomer generation, which lost many lives to drugs.

“Drugs are consumed to feel good and feel better,” she said, adding that curiosity is a key factor driving drug use among the present generation. “It is often said that drugs feel like heaven, but they may take you to hell disguised as heaven,” she urged, urging collective action to support those battling addiction.

A pledge was also administered by all the attendees, led by Miss Hikali Achumi, under the initiative of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Drug-Free India) pledge.

Colonel Rahul Gurung, Commandant of the 12 Assam Rifles, underscored the urgent need to address mental health and substance abuse to protect local communities. Similarly, the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung urged the audience to resist drug use and support friends in overcoming addiction.

Impact of the campaign

Superintendent of Police for Mokokchung district, Vesupra Kezo, NPS, emphasized the importance of awareness campaigns, stating, “The best way to combat drug addiction is through spreading awareness. Once someone starts using drugs, it becomes very difficult to stop.”

“Police arrest and keep them behind bars, but that is not the solution. After they come back from jail, they often resume using drugs. Therefore, there is a need for counseling, rehabilitation, and advice. It is a really good campaign,” SP told MT.

Discussing drug cases in Mokokchung, he said that so far, seven cases have been registered in 2024. “We are doing our best to contain drug trafficking. I cannot comment definitively as of now, but it appears to be lesser this year. Last year, we arrested 64 people on drug related cases,” he said.

Teachers attending the program emphasized the need for increased mental health awareness, expressing confidence that such campaigns will benefit both students and the broader community. “As a teacher and responsible citizen, I will share these insights with my students and in churches,” one teacher told MT.

Even young students from Assam Rifles participated, expressing their newfound understanding of the importance of breaking the silence on drugs and mental health. “Drugs are bad,” a class 9 student from Queen Mary’s School remarked, reflecting on what he learned during the program.

“Assam Rifles, through this initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of the community, particularly in addressing issues that are affecting the youth. The event provided a unique platform for participants to engage in meaningful dialogue and take away essential knowledge and tools to contribute to a healthier and more resilient society,” an update from the Assam Rifles said.

The event saw more than 763 attendees from various departments including Assam Rifles, delegates of civil authorities, Teachers and students from College and Schools of Mokokchung District.

MT