Psychiatrist advocates Daycare Centers for Mental Health Urged in Manipur
Northeast Desk, 17th November: Dr. Athokpam Ranita, the State Nodal Officer of the National Mental Health Programme in Manipur, emphasized the importance of promoting daycare centers for mental health treatment in regions like Manipur, where there is a high prevalence of mental health issues. Speaking at a one-day awareness program on the initiation of the “Day Care Centre for Severe Mentally Ill Persons,” Dr. Ranita highlighted that, given the high disease burden of mental illness in Manipur, the establishment of daycare centers is crucial.
The concept of daycare mental health treatment is relatively new to the state and the country, unlike more advanced nations, Dr. Ranita explained. She described daycare as more than an outpatient department but less than a full-fledged hospital, suggesting that expanding such facilities could contribute to reducing the number of mental illnesses.
Acknowledging the acute shortage of manpower for the implementation of a national mental health program, Dr. Ranita commended the efforts made to execute the program in all districts of Manipur. She emphasized that the ongoing conflict has significantly impacted the mental health of the state’s population across age groups and genders.
The awareness program was organized by the Centre for Women Development, Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, in association with the National Mental Health Programme and the National Health Mission. Attendees included clinical psychologist M. Herojit and retired senior specialist in Public Health Dr. H. Ibemcha. The program aimed to shed light on the importance of mental health care, particularly through the establishment and promotion of daycare centers.
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