PRESS RELEASE
The Sikkim State Legal Services Authority under the directions of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim and Executive Chairperson, Sikkim State Legal Services Authority, under NALSA (Legal Services to the Mentally Ill and Mentally Disabled Persons) Scheme, 2015, organized a Mental Health Programme for the Employees of Social Justice & Welfare Department on 21st December, 2021 (Tuesday) at 11:00 a.m. at the Sikkim Judicial Academy, Sokeythang, East Sikkim, under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority.
The Sikkim SLSA launched the Mental Health Programme for the Government Employees which commenced from 10th October, 2018 at Sikkim Judicial Academy, Sokeythang East Sikkim, coinciding with World Mental Health Day for sensitizing all the employees of the Government Departments on the issue of mental health and how to cope with stress, anxiety and depression..
The employees of the following Departments viz; Police Department (on 10.10.2018), Education Department (on 12.07.2019) and Department of Power (on 22.11.2019), have already been sensitized, with Resource Persons from the Department of Psychiatry, New STNM Multispecialty Hospital, Sochyagang.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic situation in the State w.e.f March, 2020, the programme had been kept in abeyance which has now re-commenced from 21.12.2021.
Member Secretary, Sikkim SLSA, in his welcome note apprised the gathering with regard to the importance of mental health issues, as our State is grappling with rampant suicide cases which is directly connected to mental health problem. Free and competent legal aid and services provided by the Sikkim SLSA under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and the various activities being carried out by Sikkim SLSA since 1998 including the establishment of Alternate Dispute Mechanisms such as Mediation & Conciliation, Lok Adalat, etc. for amicable settlement of cases, was also informed.
Resource Persons, Dr. C.L. Pradhan, Psychiatrist spoke on subjects of mental disorder, personality traits, mental hygiene, etc. while Ms. Nancy Palmu Chankapa, Clinical Psychologist, addressed the gathering on the topic of Stress Management while demonstrating some exercises to manage stress.
The programme also had a vibrant interaction between the participants and the Resource Persons.
The programme was attended by Mrs. Matilda Isaacs, Project Consultant, Sikkim SLSA, Officers/Officials from the Social Justice & Welfare Department comprising of Welfare Officers and Inspectors, District Child Protection Officers, In-charges of Child Care Institutions, Counsellors, In-Charges of Rehabilitation Centres, Officials from Women Helpline and One Stop Centres, etc. and staff of Sikkim SLSA.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Praveen Pradhan, Under Secretary, Sikkim SLSA.
