Awareness on mental health issues to be started in Odisha colleges, varsities – Times of India

Bhubaneswar: In view of the suicide cases reported from educational institutions, the state government has taken a decision to create awareness about mental health issues among students at various government and government-aided colleges and state public universities of the state.
As a part of the programme, Mo College Abhiyan under the higher education department on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with ‘Indian Psychiatric Society, Odisha state branch, to hold the awareness initiative in the degree colleges and state public universities.
India Psychiatric Society, one of the oldest professional bodies in the country, is working for the improvement of mental health in the society. It also tries to reduce the stigma and create awareness regarding mental health, said the official sources.
The psychiatrists with vast experience are focussing on the issues related to increasing suicidal tendency, stigma leading to gaps in treatment, reduced self-help skills, poor coping style and strained interpersonal relationships.
During the awareness drive, students from various colleges and universities of the state will be trained to identify different mental health issues, stress management, and identify warning signs of suicides. They will be taught how to cope up with the problems, said an official of the Mo College.
Mo College chairperson Akash Dasnayak said students are getting mental pressure due to several reasons. “Some of the students succumb to the peer pressure of establishing themselves well in society. If they do not get expected results, they get depressed and develop suicidal tendencies. Hence, mental health awareness is the need of the hour,” he added.
This awareness campaign will be held in 100 colleges in the first phase. Later the Mo College authorities will spread it to other colleges and universities.
Amrit Pattojoshi, Odisha state branch president of Indian Psychiatric Society, said the objective of the pact is to empower youngsters (students) and create awareness among themselves over their mental health. “We will discuss the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of the students,” he added.
He said mental health affects how one thinks, feels, and acts. “Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Student suicides are the major concern of society these days. They need proper guidance and counselling,” he added.