Dharamshala: The Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration celebrated the May mental health awareness month with various activities in settlements and schools carried out under the leadership of settlement nurses, executive secretaries, school teachers, and counsellors. In addition, the Department of Health supported the Stories of Tibetans by producing five short documentaries on mental health. The awareness activities centre on the theme: Break the Stigma: Together for Mental Health. The main reason for keeping this theme is to demystify people’s misconceptions and negative attitudes people hold towards mental health, especially for people struggling with mental illness. The Department of Health hopes to clarify that mental health does not equate to mental illness. Negative beliefs and behaviour toward people suffering from mental illness limit people from seeking early help, and sharing their problems is a maintaining factor for their suffering and illness.
In Dharamsala, the Department of Health successfully organised a mental health awareness fest on 28 May 2022. During the fest, different booths on the following topics: Tibetan medicine (Sowa-Rigpa), Tibetan Astro-Science, Tibetan Buddhist perspective on mental health, and the work of Kunphen Rehabilitation, Tibetan Women Helpline, and the Department of Health’s mental health desk participated in the events. The participants also learned about emotional awareness and self-care through well-being activities. Participants hail from different backgrounds and walk of life. Some were students, monks, nuns, businessmen and women, teachers, nurses, CTA staff, etc.
The Department would like to thank PRM for supporting all mental health activities and the various organisations for actively participating in this event.
-Report filed by Department of Health-