The President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL), Dr. Mythili Hazarika was invited to train the teachers of pre-primary classes on how to address the behaviour issues of 2-6 years old children. It was one of the most difficult sessions as the behaviours which the teachers found difficult to control were mostly normal at that age and to give them the insight about the same was challenging. Sometimes we need to ponder and introspect deep within to find out whether our attitude towards the younger ones is the cause of their behaviour problems. Only positive reinforcement and consistent/assertive discipline are required with affection and acceptance for a positive self-image at that age.

Dr. Mythili Hazarika, the President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) was the guest speaker to train the nodal officers of various districts of Assam on Tobacco cessation and various strategies from psychosocial perspectives. The “want, need and craving” for tobacco and various intervention strategies were discussed in the forum organised by Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati.

“Psychiatry in primary healthcare” is the theme of the 13th Midterm CME of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State Branch held at Goalpara. The President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL), Mythili Hazarika, MA, MPhil, PhD talked on “Psychological consequences of physical illness: prevention and therapy”. “Dissociative/functional disorder in primary care setup” is the title of the talk of Uddip Talukdar, MD, Editorial Board Member of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®). The Editor-in-Chief of OJPAS®, Shyamanta Das, MD talked on “Primary psychiatry pharmacy”.

Rape perpetrators could be understood from biopsychosocial perspectives and can never be politically motivated. The education system should be cognizant of POCSO Act and insight on sex-related violence, abuse, and aggression with questions for every child. The parents of perpetrators should take moral responsibility for their children’s doing as violence starts from home. Thus, parents are to be sensitive in rearing up children in a gender-sensitive manner. The police and legal system reforms like teaching police how to interrogate and interview victims so that they do not fear to report and are not to be raped many times in the interrogation phase, as told by the President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL), Dr. Mythili Hazarika in a discussion on PRAG NEWS.

A discussion is held in the Academic Hall of the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati on the topic of LGBTIQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Asexual) community. This is the first time in GMCH, that a formal, organised discussion on this topic is conducted. The discussion commenced with an introductory speech by Prof. A.K. Adhikari, Principal-cum-Chief Superintendent, GMCH. In his speech, Prof. Adhikari expressed the need for constructive discussions and productive actions regarding the issue. Followed by this, Dr. Shyamanta Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH and Editor-in-Chief of the Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (OJPAS®) discussed the research conducted on various issues of the concerned community in Northeast India. He specially mentioned about two research conducted in the Assam Medical College Hospital, Dibrugarh. Then, Dr. Dipjyoti Bora, Registrar, Department of Psychiatry, Jorhat Medical College Hospital, Jorhat presented two case reports which are very informative and enlightening for the gathering. Followed by this, Dr. Mythilli Hazarika, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, GMCH and President of the Society for Mental Health in LAMIC (SoMHiL) presented a very detailed case report which revealed the psychological and social struggles of the people of this community. However, it also reflected that through proper interventions the quality of life of these people can be immensely enhanced. This is followed by the most captivating part of the event where Rupam and Milin Dutta share their journeys with the gathering. Their stories are not only informative but also engrossing. Then, there is an enriching panel discussion. The panel consisted of Prof. Joydev Sarma, Vice Principal, GMCH; Prof. Dipesh Bhagabati, Psychiatrist; Prof. Dipti Sharma, Endocrinologist; Prof. Seema Rekha Devi, Plastic Surgeon; Dr. P.K. Bagchi, Urologist; Mr. P.J. Baruah, Executive Editor of The Assam Tribune, and Activist Milin Dutta. Dr. Ramen Talukdar, Superintendent, GMCH while addressing the gathering mentioned that the medical fraternity is also not aware of such important biopsychosocial issues and stressed on the need for this type of discussion. Finally, the vote of thanks is presented by Dr. Mythilli Hazarika. Anchoring was done by Dr. Nilofar Rahman.

Courtesy: Dr. Rijusmita Sarma