Imphal: Keeping in mind the importance of mental health and resilience in conflict situations, the 24th edition of the annual conference of the Indian Psychiatry Society, Manipur state branch, MANIPSYCON 2023, was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) auditorium on Saturday. The conference was organised under the theme ‘conflict and resilience’ with participants of psychiatrists, counsellors, mental health workers, among others.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Manipur, the impact on mental health amongst the people of the state can be particularly severe, necessitating a closer examination of resilience as a crucial factor in navigating the crisis.
According to Dr. Nelson Loitongbam, organising secretary, MANIPSYCON 2023, the conference aimed to explore the intricate relationship between resilience and mental health in conflict situations, shedding light on strategies and considerations essential for promoting well-being amidst adversity.
“Conflict is an inevitable aspect of the human experience, with profound implications for mental health and well-being. However, individuals possess the capacity for resilience, allowing them to navigate conflict with grace and emerge stronger on the other side,” said Dr Loitongbam.
Speaking on the occasion as a chief guest, Prof L Deben Singh, Director, JNIMS, said that without a conflict, we cannot grow and improve ourselves. This is a natural phenomenon so that whenever there is a conflict or any change in the situation, we try to cope with it and solve it.
According to him, human beings have so many conflicts even within ourselves but because of problem-solving skills or adjustment, we can cope up with the situation.
Citing an example of how the JNIMS hospital without having world-class equipment started with renal transplantation and has successfully completed 39 renal transplants so far, Prof Deben Singh said that without challenges in life, we cannot improve or bring change in the society.
Echoing Prof Deben Singh’s remarked, Prof RK Lenin Singh, president, East Zone, Indian Psychiatry Society, said that resilience is born out of conflict.
“We are facing conflict in every moment in our life. In fact, in nature, if something needs to move on, we should create conflict and out of the conflict, changes in life happen,” he said.
He further stated that people in the state have faced many such challenges in the near past and the present generation has been groomed with lots of capability to cope with anytime of the challenges, be it COVID-19 or the present situation in the state.
“God is testing us just like heating the rot for making something good, so we should have strength in coping with any situation,” he said, adding that, “the need of the hour is to spread hope and love, not terror, fear, anger and hostility.”
A message of hope and love is a powerful healing mechanism when something is wrong. It is easier to say than do in action but nonetheless, the journey must go on and we have to succeed and come out victorious out of any conflicts, added Prof Lenin Singh.
Meanwhile, Prof Kh Lokeshwor Singh, Medical Superintendent, JNIMS, called for the medical practitioners and mental health workers to be a ray of hope through the service imparted to the people in these difficult times.
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“Not just the displaced persons but the whole people in the state have been affected by the present situation directly or indirectly. And it is now a time to have positive resilience and come out from this turmoil,” said Prof Lokeshwor Singh.
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