Mental health and psychosocial support for children at observation homes of Manipur deliberated
IMPHAL, May 28
Manipur State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur jointly organized an Online Interaction Programme for children residing at observation homes of Manipur on the theme “Mental health and psychosocial support amidst the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic” today through Jitsi Meet Platform.
A press release of the Authority said that Ojesh Mutum, Member Secretary, Manipur State Legal Services Authority gave the welcome address and highlighted the need for organizing such interactive programme. Further, he stated that addressing the behavioural changes in the children due to the pandemic by organizing such programmes is the need of the hour as all are being affected socially, mentally, physically and economically.
Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director, Social Welfare Department, Manipur gave the key note address and also highlighted the importance of stress management in this hour of pandemic. He also added that over-exposure to information; discussing stressful news on COVID-19 in front of children, detachments from friends and relatives, decrease in physical activities and confinement at home with mobile phones and TV may attribute to stress in children and hence management of stress is pertinent at this hour.
In order to light up the online programme, an infotainment cum awareness program by a team of Nokphade Cultural Team led by Ruhinikumar, Joseph, Rajen, Rangilal and Surmangol had their quirky takes on COVID-19 to spread awareness to the participants. The innovative comical acts from the team were well received by the participants and gave light to the programme.
In continuation L Roshan Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), Imphal deliberated on the topic “Mental health & psychosocial support for children amidst COVID-19 second wave” and also highlighted about the Mindfulness Mediation which can be used as therapeutic approach for relief from anxiety, depression, stress during the pandemic.
Queries from participants were also addressed during the said interaction programme. Further, Sadananda Sorokhaibam, Deputy Member Secretary, Manipur State Legal Services Authority delivered the vote of thanks.