In a significant move to address the growing concerns surrounding mental health, Yi Jamshedpur hosted a "Mental Health Roundtable" at the Center for Excellence. The event brought together leading mental health experts, educators, wellness advocates, and community leaders to discuss strategies for overcoming mental health challenges and breaking the societal stigma associated with mental illness. The panel shared expert insights, practical interventions, and a collective vision for improving mental health care at the grassroots level.
Dr. Manoj Sahu, Senior Consultant at Tata Main Hospital, stressed the alarming statistic that 85% of mental health patients do not receive care due to lack of availability and awareness. He emphasized that 95% of cases involve common psychiatric disorders, which are treatable with appropriate intervention, and urged the need to address myths like lifelong medication being the only treatment option. His call for reducing the stigma around mental illness highlighted how early diagnosis and treatment can vastly improve patients' quality of life.
Ashu Tiwari, Principal of St. John’s School, introduced the concept of Stress Audits, a system that has proven effective in identifying stress levels in schools and workplaces. She advocated for schools to prioritize emotional safety for students and stressed the importance of introducing Emotional Intelligence (EI) education from Class 8 onwards to equip young individuals with the tools to manage their emotions effectively.
Dr. Zaki Akhtar, Assistant Professor at Karim City College, presented his Students Stress Scale (SSS), a unique methodology that assesses academic stress in students. This tool, tested in several schools, offers educators a structured way to address the mental health challenges that students often face in competitive academic environments.
Mukesh Agarwal, Chief Wellness Officer at Tata Steel, highlighted the role of Mental First Aiders in workplaces, trained to provide immediate support to colleagues facing mental health challenges. He also emphasized the need for creating role models within organizations who openly support mental wellness initiatives, thereby fostering a supportive peer culture.
The roundtable also explored larger systemic efforts such as the District Mental Health Program (DMHP), an initiative launched by the government to make mental healthcare accessible at district levels. Dr. Sahu emphasized the potential for collaboration between CII Young Indians (Yi) and the DMHP to promote mental health initiatives across various regions.
Another key takeaway from the roundtable was the importance of Listening Therapy in families. Nitulika Singh, a mental health advocate, urged parents to spend quality time with their children, noting that active listening could help address issues before they escalate. The panel unanimously called for Emotional Literacy to become a core part of school curricula, underscoring its value in helping students understand and manage their emotions.
