Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 07 January 2025
Bengaluru’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) under the Union Territory Health Mission, has launched a five-day training program on ‘Psychosocial Care in Disaster Management’ for health professionals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The program, which began on January 6, 2025, aims to equip participants with the essential skills to provide psychosocial support to individuals and communities affected by disasters. The training covers crucial topics, including disaster management, psychosocial assessment, and intervention strategies tailored for disaster-affected populations.
The training has drawn health care professionals from across the Islands, including psychiatrists, medical officers, clinical psychologists, and counsellors. Renowned experts from NIMHANS, Dr. Sekar Kasi, former Registrar and Consultant, and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Manikappa, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator, are leading the sessions. Both experts bring extensive experience in disaster mental health and psychosocial care.
Inaugurating the program, Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, A&N Administration, stressed the critical role of psychosocial care in disaster management. Dr. Satyajit Halder, Joint Secretary of the National Mental Health Programme, welcomed the dignitaries from NIMHANS and encouraged participants to complete the training, highlighting the importance of these skills in aiding disaster-stricken communities.
This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India’s commitment to enhancing the disaster management capabilities of the health sector in the Islands. The program will conclude on January 10, 2025.