RONO HILLS, Jul 5: The Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS), ICMR research team at Rajiv Gandhi University successfully hosted a one-day Leadership Engagement Workshop under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-backed multi-state implementation research project titled “Suicide Risk Reduction and Improving Mental Well-being among School and College Students”.
This initiative marks the beginning of the project’s second phase, focusing on implementation across more than 60 educational institutions in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) and Papum Pare district.
The workshop brought together principals and representatives from 10 institutions, including Zion Institute of Nursing, Arunodaya University, and JNV Gumto, among others. The event aimed to build the capacity of institutional leaders to strengthen mental health awareness and support systems within their respective institutions.
Dr Tarun Mene, Principal Investigator of the ICMR-AITS project, welcomed the participants and outlined the project’s objectives, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive interventions to reduce suicide risks and improve emotional well-being among youth. Dr Dharmeshwari Lourembam, Co-Principal Investigator, felicitated the invited dignitaries.
Three engaging technical sessions formed the core of the event.
Session 1: Understanding Mental Health and Well-being, co-facilitated by Dr Leeyir Ete and Chara Lowangcha, provided foundational knowledge on identifying and addressing mental health concerns in educational settings.
Session 2: Child, Adolescent & Youth Development and Mental Health, led by Mayuri Handique, focused on the psychological and emotional development of young people, and how educational institutions can create enabling environments for growth.
Session 3 (a & b): Action Planning – Mental Health Support and Protocols, facilitated by Dr Leeyir Ete and Abhishek Rajak, engaged participants in developing institutional mental health action plans.
RGU Joint Registrar Dr David Pertin delivered keynote remarks, underlining the significance of mental health in educational settings and the importance of the ongoing project.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Amit Kumar, Co-Principal Investigator, who appreciated the proactive involvement of educational leaders in supporting this crucial initiative. Certificates of participation were distributed to all attendees.
This leadership engagement workshop marks a significant step in the ongoing mission to integrate mental health awareness and suicide prevention protocols in schools and colleges, ensuring safer, more supportive environments for youth.