South West Khasi Hills today observe World Mental Health Day on the theme, “It Is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.”
The programme was organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in collaboration with the Office of the District Mental Health Programme at the district court.
Addressing the gathering, District and Sessions Judge cum Chairperson of DLSA, Cordelia Dkhar stated that positive stress can play a significant role in employee development, it can motivate them to push beyond their comfort zones, fostering personal and professional growth. She urged the staff attending the program to maintain an open mindset and to avoid contemplating suicide, regardless of the challenges they encounter.
“We all share a responsibility to maintain a strong mindset by focusing on the positive aspects and disregarding negativity,” she said while also emphasising the importance of leadership support in workplace, highlighting that instilling leadership spirit and qualities in employees’ heart and mind is essential for providing assistance and comfort to those experiencing mental illness in a workplace.
Speaking on the theme, Psychiatrist Dr. L. Dhar noted that workplace stress is a common issue that affects employees at all levels, regardless of their rank or position. She explained that everyone experiences stress in different ways and further elaborated with examples on the two types of stress, good stress, which can be motivating, and bad stress, which can have negative impacts on both mental and physical health.
Dr Dhar highlighted the importance of prioritising mental health and keeping it at the forefront of workplace culture. Stating that achieving complete peace of mind in today’s work environment may seem unattainable, she asserted that individuals can take steps to improve their mental well-being by adopting effective communication, fostering mutual understanding, offering support and encouragement, and working collaboratively to find solutions are the key practices for achieving both personal well-being and collective success.
Other who also spoke were Dr. F. R. Lartang, District Medical and Health Officer, D. Sohtun, Chief Judicial Magistrate cum Secretary DLSA, and W. L. N. Marwein, Psychiatric, Social Worker among others.
During the programme, prizes were also to the winners of the essay writing competition for school students conducted as part of the observation organized by the Office of the District Mental Health Programme.
