DGC holds State-Level Seminar on Behavioural and Mental Health Challenges among Youth

Dimapur, 6 May (MTNews): A state-level seminar on “Behavioural and Mental Health Challenges among Youth: Strategies to Enhance Well-Being” was held in Dimapur Government College on Friday. The seminar was organized by the Department of Psychology in collaboration with IQAC, Dimapur Government College with Dr Imlisongla Longkumer, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Nagaland University, Mierema Campus, Kohima and Dr Temsusenla Jamir, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Dimapur Government College, as resource persons.

The event witnessed the participation of students and teachers from Dimapur Government College as well as from various colleges.

Dr Imlisongla Longkumer explained on the importance of youth’s mental health as youth is a stage that encompasses the formative years where they go through rapid changes be it social, cognitive, emotions, physical and are expected to make adjustments with their environment where all these create stress among the youths and may later lead the young person to suffer from mental and substance use disorder (MSUDs) which is why she emphasized that youth is a significant period to promote mental health and create awareness about it.

Dr Imlisongla also mentioned some common behavioural and mental health problems that are prevalent in youth like – anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorders, substance misuse and gaming disorder and also highlighted some tips on how to develop coping skills when faced with such problems. She also suggested that prevention and early intervention are keys to promotion of good mental health.

Resource person Dr Temsusenla Jamir gave a presentation on the topic “Positive Psychology for Mental Health and Well-being”. She explained about mental illness and mental health and stated that maintaining a good mental health is important as mental wellbeing includes the overall well-being of a person such as social well-being, emotional well-being and spiritual well-being and not just the physical well-being.

She further explained on the newer branch of Psychology which is the Positive Psychology where it focuses on our strengths and teaches us to live a positive lifestyle.