Northeast Desk, 8th October: Arunachal Pradesh has been flagged as one of the top four states in India grappling with psychoactive substance abuse, a troubling revelation shared by Dr. Riken Rina, Director of Health Services (DHS). This alarming statistic emerged during a recent state-level workshop aimed at addressing the mental health needs of children in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) across the state.
Dr. Rina emphasized the pressing need for integrating moral education into the school curriculum, advocating for initiatives that promote a healthier and more productive society. He stressed the urgency of developing intervention strategies to counteract the harmful effects of substance abuse on the health of the youth and the community at large.
The workshop featured a range of expert insights. TW Thungon, Joint Director of the Women and Child Development (WCD) department, discussed the ongoing initiatives under the Mission Vatsalya program, which aims to bolster child welfare. Sum Darang, a panel lawyer for the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA), provided a comprehensive overview of the legislative frameworks that govern children in CCIs, citing the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act of 2015 and the JJ Model Rules of 2016 as key references.
Senior psychiatrist Haniya Payee shed light on childhood psychiatric disorders and the protective factors that can aid in prevention, while Dr. Tana Natung, the State Nodal Officer for Child Health, discussed existing policies designed to address the mental health needs of children in CCIs. Additionally, clinical psychologist Dr. Nabam Yani elaborated on effective cognitive behavior therapy techniques during the sessions.
Niri Chongrowju, a member of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to effectively confront the mental health challenges faced by children in the state.
The workshop saw participation from over 120 individuals, including members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), counselors from CCIs, officials from various government departments, and representatives from NGOs. Organized by the Karmayogi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. in collaboration with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the event aimed to pave the way for improved mental health services for vulnerable children in the region.