Editor,
Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. The World Health Organization states that mental health includes mental disorders, psychosocial disabilities and other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning or risk of self-harm. It defines mental health as a state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn effectively, work productively and contribute to their communities.
Mental health in Arunachal Pradesh is quite alarming and differs from other parts of the country. A study from the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) found that psychiatric illnesses particularly, substance use disorders, affect 77.62 percent of the treatment-seeking population, indicating a high prevalence among younger generations. Other disorders, such as depressive disorders (33.8%), anxiety disorders (19%), schizophrenia (9.8%) and bipolar disorder (6-9%), were found in much lower proportions than anticipated. The high rate of substance use in the region may be attributed to the socio-cultural significance of alcohol, the long-standing use of raw opium by some tribes, and the state’s proximity to Myanmar, which is near the “Golden Triangle.”
The situation is concerning, as there is a deficit of mental health professionals and a lack of accessible treatment services for the majority of the population. Furthermore, the type of treatment available for substance-related issues is mostly institutional and focused on long-term rehabilitation. A study from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) suggests that such services are needed by only a few substance misusers, while the majority require ‘Brief Intervention.’ This intervention, lasting 15-20 minutes, emphasizes psychoeducation on various substance uses as a primary prevention method. Primary care services can be adopted by medical officers and nurses in Primary Health Centers in each district and block. Other stakeholders, such as women representatives, youth leaders, panchayat members, social workers, psychologists and community fieldworkers with adequate training in substance use treatment, can also participate in these interventions. These alternative strategies can help address the shortage of mental health professionals in mitigating alcohol and drug problems in the region. Such strategies are urgently needed.
Meanwhile, higher education institutions and hospitals should encourage young professionals to train as effective mental health professionals. It is time for policymakers in the state to critically evaluate various alternative strategies to address the drug menace beyond the existing substance use treatments.
Dr. Chaphiak Lowang,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Social Work, Rajiv Gandhi University