Nagaland: Breaking the silence campaign concludes

The second phase of Breaking the Silence, a mental health and substance abuse awareness campaign organized by ACTS (Aid Care Trust Support) under the Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP) project, recently concluded with sessions held in three northeastern states.

The campaign covered Mon in Nagaland, Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh, and Digboi in Assam, drawing participation from over 1,000 young people.

Miss Northeast 2023, Kenei Ritse, led sessions focused on mental health awareness, while Miss Nagaland 2023, Neiketunuo Sechü, addressed issues surrounding substance abuse. Sechü also led the pledge for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, an initiative aimed at a drug-free India.

The campaign’s primary target was the youth, with the goal of fostering a ripple effect throughout communities by encouraging open conversations and challenging long-standing stigmas tied to mental health and substance abuse.

Many individuals struggle to seek help due to fears of judgment and social isolation, and the campaign sought to dismantle these barriers by promoting the understanding that mental health concerns are just as important as physical health.

ACTS received strong support for the initiative from organizations such as IGAR North, the Social Welfare Department of Nagaland, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (KU and KSU in Mon), the Arunachal University of Studies (in Namsai) and the Recovery Wellness Society, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, and ASACS (in Digboi).

Each session concluded with a discussion hour and a Q&A segment, offering participants a platform to engage with the speakers and explore these critical issues further. Through “Breaking the Silence,” ACTS aims to empower young people to seek help without fear, ultimately creating more supportive and understanding communities across the region.