{"id":3061,"date":"2021-07-08T11:32:20","date_gmt":"2021-07-08T11:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nbbgc.sibinit.com\/?page_id=3061"},"modified":"2023-12-08T11:15:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T11:15:37","slug":"best-practices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nbbgc.org\/?page_id=3061","title":{"rendered":"Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Best Practices-1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Programme on Screening and Promotion of Mental Health for Students<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Department of Sociology in collaboration with Suicide Prevention Action Network
\n(SPAN) Project, National Mental Health Programme, Department of Health & Family Welfare,
\nGovt. of Sikkim organises a monthly screening programme for mental health among students.<\/p>\n

\n

Objective<\/strong>
\nThe objective of the programme is to assess the emotional well being of students via a series of
\nquestions, under the guidance of trained counselors from the Primary Health Centers (PHCs).
\nContext
\nThe United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognizes the relevance of
\nmental illnesses in decreasing the total disease burden. In the Indian context, mental illness has
\nbeen shrouded in stigma, ignorance, and superstition for a long time. The Indian Government
\nadopted its first National Mental Health Policy in 2014 and a revised Mental Healthcare Act in
\n2017 based on the principles of the World Health Organization\u2019s (WHO) international
\nclassifications of diseases and disorders which classifies Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
\nMental Disorders (DSM) as an area of inquiry. With this initiative the Ministry of Health aims
\nto provide mental health services across the country, to reduce the stigma associated with
\nmental illness, promote mental health awareness, and create a community where mental health
\nis valued.
\nIn a Lancet study, it is documented that in 2017, mental diseases accounted for 4.7% (3.7%-
\n5.6%) of total Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in India, compared to 2.5% (2.0%-
\n3.1%) in 1990. Mental illnesses were the major cause of Years of healthy life Lost due to
\nDisabilities (YLDs) in India in 2017, accounting for 14.5% of all YLDs. Depressive disorders
\n(33.8%, 29.5-38.5) and anxiety disorders (19.0%, 15.9-22.4) contributed the most DALYs in
\nIndia in 2017.1
\nKeeping this in mind, the screening is focused on the prevention, screening, assessment, and
\ntreatment of mental disorders and behavioral conditions in order to catch mental health
\nconditions early.
\nThe Practice
\nDepression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, eating disorders are some of the common mental health
\nconditions that plague young college students today. The college understands that
\nacademic and other stressors may affect the mental well-being of college students. In this
\nregard, mental health awareness among students has an important role to play in terms of
\naddressing the relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and other negative coping<\/p>\n

behaviors, as well as the negative impact of stigma and cultural attitudes toward mental
\nillness.
\nThe Department of Sociology under the direction of Dr. Nancy C. Lhasungpa, Assistant
\nProfessor, organised a training programme for 17 students who are presently pursuing
\nSociology Honours. The training programme was held on 20th April 2023 in the College
\nSeminar Hall with the aim to engage college students in the screening process to help identify
\nmental health issues among their peers in order to provide timely counselling and reference in
\npartnership with District Hospitals, Upper Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and PHCs. These
\nstudents, in their second year, were trained by two counsellors, Ms. Tshering and Ms. Chunku,
\nfrom Gangtok Upper Primary Health Centres (UPHCs).
\nThe first screening programme was held in May 2023. Since then, a monthly screening
\nprogramme has been held in the college library every month, except during end term
\nexaminations and semester breaks, wherein undergraduate students across disciplines have
\nbeen screened for mental health conditions.<\/p>\n

Evidence of Success<\/strong>
\nSince the start of the screening programme, many students have been identified with mental
\nhealth problems. Such students have been referred to the UPHCs, PHCs and District hospitals
\nfor necessary diagnosis and treatment. The names of these students have been kept anonymous
\nto encourage higher engagement.
\nProblems Encountered
\nSome of the problems encountered during this process include poor attitude towards mental
\nhealth challenges, lack of funds, lack of an on-campus clinical psychologist or other certified
\nprofessionals, and lack of awareness of importance of such screening programmes.
\nOptional Info
\nThe Department of Sociology hopes to conduct similar screening programmes for postgraduate
\nstudents as well as the teaching and non-teaching college staff. The long-term goal is to
\nnormalise conversations around mental health and make necessary diagnosis and treatment
\naccessible to all.<\/p>\n

Best Practices-2
\nFitness Club in NBBGC, Tadong<\/strong>
\nNar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Tadong has set up the fitness club to motivate
\nstudents and staff for physical fitness. The club operates with the help of Yoga and Gymnasium
\ncenters which is set up in the college campus.
\nObjectives
\nT<\/strong>o have fit body for fit mind of students and teachers, physical fitness has become more
\nimportant in the post-covid period.
\nThe Context
\nAfter the opening of college in the post-covid period, it was felt that there should be an
\ninitiative from the college to create a fitness center for its staff and students.
\nThe Practice
\nFitness through yoga and gymnasium center in the college could provide motivation and
\ntraining for the students. Students visit the centers regularly after taking membership.
\nHowever, the intake capacity of these centers is small as compared to the total student
\nstrength.
\nEvidence of Success
\nRegular participation of staff and students in these centers is a source of motivation for
\nfitness. The students also participate in various competitive events at the state and
\nnational level and bring awards and recognition to the college.
\nProblems Encountered and Resources Required
\nThere is a limited intake capacity of these centers, so cannot accommodate maximum
\nmembers. This whole adds costs in the form of maintenance of equipment\u2019s and salary to
\nthe trainers.<\/p>\n

Notes (Optional)<\/strong>
\nHowever, due to locational disadvantage, students commuting to the college cannot take
\nadvantage of this facility. But for the students who reside in the campus and its surrounding,
\nit is a boon.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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