HT Bureau
NAMSAI, Aug 8: The Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS) at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), successfully organised a one-day Leadership Engagement Workshop under the multi-state implementation research project titled “Suicide Risk Reduction and Improving Mental Well-being among School and College Students”, according to an official statement.
The workshop brought together principals and heads from six institutions in the Naharlagun area — Good Shepherd Public School, Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, CV Raman Academy, Royal International School, Indira Academy and Donyi Polo Institute.
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The objective was to strengthen the capacity of institutional leaders to promote mental health awareness, develop supportive environments, and put in place structured mechanisms for emotional well-being within their institutions.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Tarun Mene, Principal Investigator of the ICMR–AITS project, outlined the objectives of the initiative, stressing the urgent need for proactive and evidence-based interventions to reduce suicide risk among young people.
He also felicitated the dignitaries present, underlining the importance of their commitment to the cause.
The technical component of the programme comprised three focused sessions.
The first, “Understanding Mental Health and Well-being”, was conducted by Project Research Scientist–Chara Lowangcha, who provided participants with foundational knowledge on identifying and addressing mental health concerns within educational settings.
The second session, “Child, Adolescent & Youth Development and Mental Health”, led by Clinical Psychologist and Project Research Scientist–Mayuri Handique, examined the psychological and emotional development stages of young people and discussed how institutions can foster enabling environments for their holistic growth.
The final session, “Action Planning – Mental Health Support and Protocols”, was jointly facilitated by Leeyir Ete and Tadu Rimi.
This segment engaged participants in preparing institutional action plans for implementing mental health support systems and establishing clear protocols to respond to students in distress.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Co–Principal Investigator Dharmeshwari Lourembam, who commended the proactive involvement of educational leaders in advancing this crucial initiative.
Certificates of participation were presented to all attendees.
According to the statement, the leadership engagement workshop represents a significant step towards embedding mental health awareness, support frameworks, and suicide prevention measures in schools and colleges across the state.
Participants expressed strong appreciation for the platform, noting its practical relevance and potential to foster safer, more supportive educational environments for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh.
