Sensitization program on 'COVID-19 related mental health issues' held

Our Correspondent
Senapati, Jul 8: With an aim to bring better coordination between the volunteers, frontline workers and Civil Society Organizations in the district, the District Mental Health Program (DMHP), District Health Society, Senapati organised a one day sensitization program on Covid-19 related mental health issues at the Conference Hall, CMO Office, Senapati.
The program was attended by CMO, Senapati, medical heads of the district, president along with colleagues of the Senapati District Women Association (SDWA) and delegates from the Youth Brigade of the India Red Cross Society (IRCS).
Addressing the gathering, Dr Ngouniba Peter, DNO/DMHP stated that mental health is one of the definitions of what good health is all about. Health is defined as physical, mental and social well being and presence of the three components in a person is called good health and added that however, many people neglect mental health.
Dr Peter asserted that services of frontline workers and volunteers are in high demand and asked everyone to cooperate as slight negligence could risk one’s life, he added.
Dr Pfokreho Pfoze, CMO, Senapati in his speech asserted that mental health problem is faced not only by the returnees but by the frontline workers too in many aspects. Many accusations were made towards district administration and frontline workers at different occasions. However, the CMO stated that all frontline workers are committed to provide their service and that today's programme is an important step in fight against the disease.
Resource person of the programme Paveine Paulina, clinical psychologist, said that the psychological support team have been conducting tele-counseling and field visits with around 1,100 out of 1,600 returnees in the district  already counselled. These include the migrant workers and stranded students.
Paveine Paulina also informed that they have been listening to patients ventilate their distress and acknowledged it and provided support by liaising with the other concerned departments, emphasizing on social distancing, emphasizing on seeking social support on friends and family members, to follow healthy lifestyle for coping, to keep the day structured and engage in activities to occupy themselves etc. The patients were also told to reach out to the psychological support team should there be any excessive worry and stress, disturbed sleep or related issues over the current situation.
They were reportedly dealing with anxiety-panic attacks, depression, low mood, boredom, disturbances in sleep and appetite, irritability, anger, frustration, emotional exhaustion, suicidal ideation, substance use, substances withdrawal, internet addiction, domestic violence and PTSD, she said.
Volunteers L T Veiraidu and Meveine Kazia also shared their experiences as a volunteer during this pandemic.
Psychological support during the Covid-19 pandemic under National Health Mission, Manipur reportedly have been providing tele counseling confidentially through the given contact numbers; 8787457035/9402751364/7629943596.
An interaction session was also held after the formal program on what the frontline workers, volunteers and CSOs have been facing during this pandemic and discussed how to solve them through intervention by all concerned.