Motivation can reduce post-traumatic stress of crisis displaced persons: Shantibala, Indian Psychiatric Society

Imphal: People need to motivate those internally displaced people to reduce post-traumatic disorder, resulted by the present turmoil, and people should know that being mentally healthy is the global right, said president of Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Manipur state branch, professor K. Shantibala Devi.

Shantibala was speaking on Tuesday during World Mental Health Day, 2023 celebration, at Relief Camp-Konthoujam Makha Khabam High School, Konthoujam Makha Sabal Leikai, Imphal West.

World mental health day has been observing since 1992 with a different theme for each year.

Shantibala said the present turmoil in the state has displaced thousands of people, who bear the burden of different stigmas due to the violence that occurred in front of them. The internally displaced people are given shelter at various relief camps or pre-fabricated houses and others. They are physically fit. Many of them could not complain about their mental health status while prioritising on basic needs, she added.

To understand their mental health status and to motivate them for a good mental health, IPS, Manipur State Branch decided to organize the programme at relief camps, said Shantibala.

She said many of internally displaced people in the early part of the crisis are having serious post-traumatic stress disorder. Some came to consult the mental health experts. However, there are many of them still at various relief camps without sharing their stress.

Those with post-traumatic stress should be taken care cautiously by letting them share their stress and by motivating them that “mental health is a universal human right” which is also this year’s theme, she said.

The members of IPS and experts will be always there to assist those having post-traumatic stress due to the present turmoil, she added.

There are around 80 displaced people including men, women and children staying in Relief camp-Konthoujam Makha Khabam High School, Konthoujam Makha Sabal Leikai, Imphal West. Most of them are reportedly coming from Thingaifai, Churachandpur distict.

As a part of the programme IPS, Manipur State Branch handed over relief materials including stationary items and toys to the relief camp.

A pamphlet was also distributed to the relief camp mentioning mental health tips.