Kotpad,Oct 13 [UDN}: World Mental Health Day was observed at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kotpad, Koraput district, with the objective of raising awareness about mental health, promoting early identification of mental health conditions, and encouraging access to appropriate treatment, care and support for people experiencing psychological difficulties.
The programme was organised at CHC Kotpad in collaboration with SPREAD, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), with the participation of healthcare professionals, mental health officials, caregivers and people from the Kotpad area who are living with mental health conditions.
Dr. Biswajit Mallik, Medical Officer-in-Charge of CHC Kotpad, and Jyoti Ranjan, Mental Health Coordinator, attended the programme as the chief guests. Rahel Kadam, Public Health Extension Officer, along with members of the SPREAD NGO, coordinated and managed the event.
During the programme, participants discussed the importance of maintaining good mental health and the need to recognise the early signs and symptoms of mental health conditions. Emphasis was laid on ensuring that people experiencing mental health difficulties receive timely medical attention, appropriate treatment, emotional support and compassionate care from healthcare providers, family members and society.
The speakers also highlighted the importance of creating a supportive environment for people living with mental health conditions. They stressed that awareness, understanding and cooperation from families and communities are essential to improving treatment outcomes and helping affected individuals lead dignified and fulfilling lives.
The programme further focused on strengthening public awareness about mental health and ensuring that people in need can access appropriate healthcare services without hesitation. Discussions were also held on improving support for patients and their caregivers and strengthening community-level initiatives to identify mental health concerns at an early stage.
Another important aspect of the discussion was the proposal to organise mental health screening programmes on a campaign basis in the coming days. Such initiatives are expected to help identify people who may require professional assistance and facilitate their access to suitable treatment and healthcare services.
People from the Kotpad area who are living with mental health conditions, their caregivers and all healthcare workers of CHC Kotpad were present at the programme. Their participation highlighted the importance of cooperation between healthcare institutions, voluntary organisations, patients and families in addressing mental health challenges.
The observance underlined the message that mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and deserves the same attention as physical health. Through continued awareness activities, timely screening, appropriate treatment and community support, the initiative aims to encourage a more informed, compassionate and inclusive approach to mental healthcare in the Kotpad region.
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