HT Correspondent
RONO, Sept 12: The Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), organised a one-day leader engagement workshop as part of a research project aimed at reducing suicide risk and improving mental wellbeing among school and college students, an official statement said.
The workshop was attended by nine dignitaries from various institutions in the ICR region, including Dr Margaret Kathing, associate professor, CSE, NERIST; Dr Akhilesh Sharma, assistant professor, EE, NERIST; Bhagyalakshmi, assistant professor, ECE, NERIST; Margrecia Nongsiet, vice principal, and Roselin Ratan, Nursing Tutor, from North East Nursing College of Health Science; Dr Aruna Gyati Lod, principal of Binni Yanga Government Women College, Lekhi; Purabi Bordoloi, Principal, Arunachal Law Academy; Dr Narendra Singh, assistant professor, Department of Education, RGU; and Dr Dhrtiman Sharma, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, RGU.
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The participants discussed strategies to foster institutional support for mental wellbeing and suicide risk reduction among youth.
The event addressed growing concerns over youth mental health challenges in Arunachal Pradesh, where limited access to mental health resources, academic pressures, complex family dynamics, and socio-cultural transitions contribute to rising cases of depression, anxiety, and suicide among adolescents and young adults.
The session began with a welcome address by Dr Tarun Mene, Principal Investigator of the project, who highlighted the role of early intervention and awareness initiatives in addressing mental health challenges in the state.
Technical sessions focused on understanding mental health and wellbeing, child and adolescent development, action planning for crisis response teams, and institutional protocols for mental health support.
The sessions, led by key members of the ICMR-AITS research team – Dr Tadu Rimi, Dr Tuyir Riba, Chara Lowangcha, Mayuri Handique, and Abhishek Rajak – enabled participants to engage in interactive discussions and draft practical strategies to support mental health initiatives.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of participation certificates and a closing address by Co-Principal Investigator Dr Dharmeshwari Lourembam, who underscored the need for trained counsellors in educational institutions and community-level sensitisation. The project aims to actively engage students, educational institutions, and stakeholders at state and district levels, working closely with education and health departments as well as mental health professionals to promote awareness and early intervention.
