Orientation on Addressing Common Mental Disorders among Young People in the Rural Adivasi Communities

Ekjut organised a one-day orientation in collaboration with the NCD Cell at the District Hospital, West Singhbhum district on ‘Addressing Common Mental Disorders among Young People among Rural Adivasi Communities’ to strengthen primary care for mental health services. Dr. Sushanta Ku. Majhi, Civil Surgeon, District Hospital Chaibasa, Dr. Nirmala Nair, Co-founder- Secretary Ekjut, Mr. Devendra Shrivastav, District Programme Manager inaugurated and addressed as Keynote speaker and Guest speaker. Support from the district health department in referrals and improving access to care and services was sought through the Community Health Officers of Ayushman Arogya Mandir centres. From Ekjut, Dr. Sachin Barbde and Subhashree, along with other colleagues, facilitated the training and discussed Mental Health concepts, Common Mental Disorders and Severe Mental Disorders, Symptoms, Identification, Screening, Social determinants of mental health, Myths and Facts, and Dos and Don’ts in providing first aid care for mental health. This effort was a first of a kind intervention towards better coordination with the system.,