MTBA Youth Department, Arkong Youth Fellowship observes Mental Health Day
Mokokchung, October 9 (MTNews): Mental health issues, and the lack of awareness about it, is one of the many pressing issues Naga youths are faced with today but more and more people are slowly opening their eyes to the importance and significance of mental health and advancing awareness about it.
Along with the rest of the world celebrating Mental Health Week, Arkong Youth Fellowship of MTBA Youth Department on Sunday observed Mental Health Day under the theme, “Comprehending Mental Health” at Arkong Youth Hall.
The program, divided into two sessions, was held with resource persons adept at the subject matter. Merenchila Imchen, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling Psychologist and Counselor, Childline 1098 Mokokchung presented a talk on the topic, ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’ while Alemrenla Jamir, Educator and Human Development Analyst spoke on the topic, ‘Mental Health and the scripture.’
‘Mental health is given less attention than physical health’
Merenchila Imchen, speaking on the theme ‘Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority’ emphasized the variables that influence one’s mental health. She went on to underline how these aspects affect people’s perceptions, expectations, opinions, and decisions.
She also noted that mental health is given less attention than physical health. To back up her previous assertion, she continued, “We do not value what is not visible.”
Alemrenla Jamir, Educator and Human Development Analyst, speaking on the topic ‘Mental Health and the Scripture,’ distinguished between the human spirit and the divine spirit, claiming that the human ego is nothing more than human, and that it emerges in a person right after birth.
Emphasizing on the common mental health issues, Jamir lamented that after years of experience as a Human Development Analyst, she observed anxiety, depression, and eating disorders to be among the most common factors prevailing among Naga youths.
The program culminated with a prayer session initiated by the Youth Mentor of Arkong Youth Fellowship.
Mental Health Week is a national week celebrated each year in October, scheduled around World Mental Health Day on 10 October.