NHRC starts a series of workshops on mental health awareness for its employees and those working in the offices in its vicinity; intends to expand its scope for employees of other offices and Ministries

New Delhi, 01st June, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India, which has been monitoring for long the mental health care institutions and system in the country, has decided to organize special sessions for building awareness in workplaces about mental health. The Commission has felt that post COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health issues have gained a sharp focus, which can be dealt better by building awareness and timely counselling, psychological and psychiatric treatment.

The first in the proposed series of such sessions was inaugurated today by NHRC Member, Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar, in the presence of Members, Dr. D.M. Mulay & Mr. Rajiv Jain and Secretary General, Mr. D.K. Singh, DG, Mr. Santosh Mehra, Registrar (Law), Mr. Surajit Dey, Joint Secretaries, Mrs. Anita Sinha & Mr. H.C Chaudhary and Presenting Officer, Mrs. Meenakshi Sharma.

The session was addressed by the Clinical Psychologist, Ms. Mimansa Singh Tanwar of Fortis Healthcare. The attendees were the employees of NHRC and those working in the offices in the vicinity of the Commission, including employees from Central Vigilance Commission, Aayush Ministry and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

Earlier, inaugurating the workshop, Justice M.M. Kumar said that Mental Health is a state of well-being in which an individual can work productively without stress and contribute meaningfully for the well-being of society. Sensing that COVID-19 pandemic related mental stresses may impact human rights, the Commission had issued two Advisories on mental health during the first and second wave of the pandemic and also incorporated it in other Advisories related to Police and Prisons. He said that it is necessary to maintain a balance between work and life for better mental health.

Mr. D.K. Singh, Secretary General, NHRC, said that stigma attached with the mental health needs to be overcome for timely intervention for cure. There is a dire need to address our own mental health and well-being in order to live better, increase productivity, enhance self image and improve relationships.

Mr. H.C. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary, NHRC, said that it is important that people with mental illness are encouraged to seek help and avail treatment at an early stage. He said that considering the challenges of mental illness, the Government of India has also announced a plan to set up a National Tele-Mental Health programme to improve the access to quality mental health counselling and care services.

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