The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Clinic in response to the growing concern for mental health among internally displaced children affected by the ongoing conflict in Manipur. The clinic was organized at the premises of Joysana Retreat, Oinam.
Altogether 18 displaced children from different relief camps in Imphal West district attended the clinic. One-on-one counseling and psychological screening were carried out by mental health experts from the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, RIMS, led by Dr. Mona Nongmeikapam, Assistant Professor.
Earlier, such clinics had been held across six conflict-affected districts: Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Kakching, covering 223 children, of whom 63 were identified for follow-up treatment and care.
Speaking during the interaction program at Joysana Retreat, Keisam Pradipkumar, Chairperson, MCPCR, said that in the last three months, MCPCR and UNICEF have documented 3,817 children living in IDP camps in seven affected districts in both the valley and hill areas.
“The relevance of these child-friendly mental health clinics is in establishing a sustained and structured ‘Manipur Module’ to deal with the psychosocial well-being of children affected by the protracted conflict that has ruptured community protection mechanisms,” he said. “Sporadic counselling and treatment camps without convergence of healthcare services and uncoordinated efforts from DCPUs, CWCs, and SCPCR would not yield lasting results,” he added.
Yumnam Joykumar, the retired Chief Engineer and Managing Director of Joysana Retreat, announced free entry for IDP children and expressed readiness for collaboration in future welfare initiatives for displaced children.
“Stay positive and resilient; even the darkest phase is temporary, and emotional wounds can heal with care and hope,” Dr. Mona Nongmeikapam told the children during her session. Some eight children who showed severe problems related to mental health were identified and recommended for follow-up treatment. Officials from CWC Imphal West and DCPU Imphal West took part in the event and helped in its smooth conduct by coordinating and assisting.