The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Tseminyu, in collaboration with the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), Wokha, organised a Consultative Meet with District Stakeholders-cum-Workshop on “Promoting Child Mental Health: Strengthening Psychosocial Support in Schools” as part of Child Rights Week 2025.
The one day programme brought together teachers, counsellors, and key stakeholders to strengthen understanding and response mechanisms surrounding child and adolescent mental health.
The opening session was delivered by Ajano Ezung, Protection Officer (NIC), DCPU Tseminyu who highlighted the rising prevalence of mental health concerns among children today and underscored the critical role of teachers as first observers in identifying early warning signs.
Janet P Swu, DCPO, DCPU Tseminyu, welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude to the resource person for his dedication towards child welfare. She thanked attendees for their participation and emphasised the need for collective responsibility in ensuring the wellbeing of children.
Japhet Woch, NCS, Deputy Commissioner, Tseminyu, commended the DCPU for organising the workshop, noting its importance in equipping teachers and stakeholders with practical knowledge to safeguard children’s mental health. He reiterated that every child has the right to grow in a safe and nurturing environment and urged all concerned to uphold child rights and promote emotional wellness.
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The technical sessions were conducted by Dr. Wothungo L. Jami, Psychiatrist, DMHP Wokha, who served as the resource person. Dr. Jami provided an overview of child and adolescent psychiatry, noting the gradual rise in mental health issues due to biological, psychological, social, academic, and environmental factors. He outlined conditions commonly observed among children, including neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional and trauma related conditions, behavioural disorders, addiction related issues, and early onset psychosis.
A major focus of the workshop was the role of teachers in supporting students facing mental health challenges. Dr. Jami stressed the need for a safe and non judgmental environment, age appropriate communication, and collaborative information gathering from parents, caregivers, and peers.
He also highlighted the impact of parenting styles on child wellbeing, offering teachers practical strategies to share with parents such as time out methods, managing difficult behaviour, stress management techniques, and positive reinforcement.
Classroom based psychosocial approaches aimed at enhancing children’s coping skills and emotional resilience were also discussed.
The programme concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants sought clarifications on issues related to child behaviour, school based interventions, and early identification of mental health concerns.
