The office of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) in South West Khasi Hills observed World Mental Health Day 2022 yesterday on the theme ‘Make Mental Health and Well-bring for All a Global Priority’.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority with the objective of raising awareness on mental health issues and to look for ways to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.
The event was held at Ranikor and Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary of the DLSA, E Shabong, was the chief guest in the presence of District Medical and Health Officer Dr FR Lartang and Medical Officer in charge of Ranikor Community Health Centre Dr TJ Sangma.
Shabong spoke about the Mental Health Care Act 2017, Section 2 of the act which deals with the different definitions of mental illness and provisions for the admission or detention of mentall ill persons in psychiatric institutions.
She also explained that the mentally ill have the right to free legal services and can complain if they do not get adequate treatment facilities, right to community living, right to inherit properties, equal treatment, right to confidentiality and right to access medical services.
Dr Lartang warned about the impact that early marriage can have on mental health and he also said that there is an urgent need for public awareness of mental health issues.
