RONO HILLS : In a significant initiative to strengthen mental healthcare systems in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Council of Medical Research-Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Study (ICMR-AITS) Project Team of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised a consultative-cum-stakeholder meeting of mental health professionals and advocates at the university.
The meeting brought together around 25 mental health professionals and advocates representing various organisations and service sectors across the state.
Participants included counsellors from District Child Protection Units (DCPU), clinical psychologists and counsellors from Tele-MANAS Arunachal Pradesh, professionals from Midpu Mental Hospital, substance abuse counsellors from Kripa Foundation and Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) Centres, representatives of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), private practitioners, school counsellors and mental health advocates.
The deliberations focused on the prevailing mental health scenario in Arunachal Pradesh, covering emerging mental health concerns, contributing factors, help-seeking pathways, barriers to treatment, family and parenting issues, and gaps in mental health infrastructure and service delivery.
The consultation was facilitated by ICMR-AITS Project Research Scientist-II Dr Leeyir Ete. During the discussions, participants highlighted the critical role of family environment and parenting practices in shaping mental health outcomes and stressed the need for preventive interventions and stronger emotional support systems within families and communities.
Another key recommendation was the development of culturally relevant and context-specific mental health interventions alongside conventional counselling approaches. Participants emphasised the importance of integrating local cultural practices, community resources and indigenous knowledge systems to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of mental healthcare services.
Speaking during the meeting, Tele-MANAS Arunachal Pradesh In-charge Dr Hatobin Mai highlighted the programme’s contribution in expanding access to mental healthcare services across the state. He also underscored the role of District Mental Health Programmes (DMHPs) operating in 16 districts in improving outreach and service delivery.
ICMR-AITS Project Principal Investigator Dr Tarun Mene described the consultation as an important step towards building a more coordinated and responsive mental healthcare ecosystem in the state. He emphasised that meaningful progress in mental health requires sustained collaboration among professionals, institutions, communities and policymakers.
Co-Principal Investigator Dr Amit Kumar highlighted the responsibility of mental health professionals in addressing growing mental health challenges and stressed the need for collective efforts to strengthen support systems and service delivery mechanisms.
A major outcome of the meeting was the development of a referral linkage pathway connecting mental health professionals and service providers according to their areas of expertise. The initiative is expected to facilitate timely referrals, improve inter-agency coordination and ensure that individuals receive appropriate care and support.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from stakeholders to continue collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing mental health awareness, strengthening referral systems and expanding access to quality mental healthcare services across Arunachal Pradesh.
