As part of Child Rights Week 2025, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Tseminyu, in collaboration with the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), Wokha, organised a consultative meet-cum-workshop on “Promoting Child Mental Health: Strengthening Psychosocial Support in Schools” on November 15.
The one-day programme brought together teachers, counsellors, and key stakeholders to enhance understanding and response mechanisms related to child and adolescent mental health.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ajano Ezung, Protection Officer (NIC), DCPU Tseminyu, highlighted the growing prevalence of mental health concerns among children and stressed the role of teachers as first observers in identifying early warning signs.
Janet P. Swu, DCPO, DCPU Tseminyu, welcomed participants and expressed gratitude to the resource person for his commitment to child welfare. She emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring children’s wellbeing.
Deputy Commissioner of Tseminyu, Japhet Woch, lauded the initiative and said the workshop was vital in equipping educators and stakeholders with practical tools to safeguard children’s mental health. He reiterated the right of every child to grow in a safe and nurturing environment and called for continued efforts to uphold child rights and emotional wellness.
Technical sessions were led by Dr. Wothungo L. Jami, Psychiatrist, DMHP Wokha, who provided an overview of child and adolescent psychiatry. He discussed the rise in mental health issues stemming from biological, psychological, social, academic, and environmental factors, and outlined common conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, trauma-related issues, behavioural challenges, addiction, and early onset psychosis.
Dr. Jami emphasised the role of teachers in creating safe, non-judgmental spaces and encouraged age-appropriate communication and collaboration with parents, caregivers, and peers. He also shared practical strategies for managing difficult behaviour, promoting positive reinforcement, and implementing classroom-based psychosocial approaches to build emotional resilience.
The programme concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants discussed child behaviour, school-based interventions, and early identification of mental health concerns.
