Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Apr 9: CEC, LAHDC, Dr. Sonam Dawa accompanied by DC Leh Prasanna Ramaswami today launched an awareness programme on mental health under the banner head “SMES ki Deskit” at Lotsava auditorium hall, Cultural Academy.
The event was initiative of DC Leh and organized by Health Department with the support of LAHDC, Leh.
Others present include EC, Agriculture, EC Animal Husbandry, CMO, President Anjuman Moim-ul-Islam, LBA Women Wing, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam women wing, Dy. CEO, teaching staff, members Women Alliance and AMI women wing, Leh.
Referring to the figures presented by Dr. Iqbal, Medical Programme Officer, SNM, Hospital, Leh of 1300 severely mentally ill patients and 13000 with common mental illness risk with 20percent of them alcoholic in Leh, Dr. Dawa expressed grave concern over the increasing suicide rate among Ladakhi especially youth which he said is a sign of growing mental problems. He stressed on the need to take up the issue seriously with appropriate measures.
Dr. Dawa said that it would be a mistake to take this progamme as duty of only Medical Department and urged upon all the stakeholders especially teachers and community heads to contribute at a larger scale in making it a success. He said that teachers can play a vital role in identifying students with mental problems and it’s their responsibility to ensure his/her consultation on time. Parents too need to spend more quality time with their child and urged them to avoid hostel accommodation for their children as much possible. He appreciated Women Alliance, Leh for their initiative in tackling alcoholism and at the same time suggested them to fight corruption and other social evils attacking its source. He too gave assurance of full support and corrective measures by Council in making Leh corruption free, peaceful, clean and healthy region to be set as a model for the rest to follow.
DC Ramaswami highlighting the illusion of Leh as land of tranquility by outsiders said that the development of such serious issues like suicide, substance abuse, alcoholism questions the responsibility of every Ladakhi. He stressed that it is the responsibility of every stakeholder and public has the biggest role to play in it by ensuring continuation of such campaigns in the district. “We need to reconnect the children with family members and notice such tendencies timely, otherwise, we are failing as a society,” quipped DC.
CMO, Dr. Yangchan and Dr. Iqbal also spoke about mental health and the launch of ‘SEMS-ki-Deskit’ on the occasion.
Religious and community heads also expressed their views and concerns.
Later, IEC materials were also launched by the dignitaries.
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