Mental health training in field

16 November 2009

As an initial step to fill in the gap of trained mental health workers in the country, 21 primary health workers in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag were given a five-day training on mental health care at Pemagatshel Hospital last week.

Dr Damber Kumar Nirola, a psychiatrist from Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, who trained the health workers, said the main aim of the workshop was to train primary health workers to deal with common mental disorders like depression, anxiety, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other neurological conditions.

He said such workshops will be conducted for all health workers across the country over time, and they are expected to help fill in the gap of trained mental health workers in the country. Bhutan today has only two psychiatrists based in Thimphu.

Dr Nirola said the timing of the workshop was apt as it would help equip health workers to deal with victims of the recent disasters and in the event of future disasters.

“People normally suffer from acute stress following disasters. The victims not only have to be treated but provided mental support to enable them to get back to normal life.”

Dr Nirola also emphasised the various problems relating to mental health in the country. “Stigma associated with mental problem is the biggest problem at present. We must understand that apart from medication, providing moral support and reassurance, being sympathetic and helping them shed negativity are equally important in treating people with a mental condition,” he said.

Lack of awareness on mental health and facilities in the country for treatment is another big issue, according to Dr Nirola.

According to him, people suffering from mental disorder should not be restrained or confined unless they are violent.

While there is no study done on the state of mental health in the country, the training of the primary health workers are expected to help in gathering baseline data. Last year, 12 mental health patients were treated in the national referral hospital.

Dr Nirola said that with the accelerated rate of rural to urban migration on one hand and competition for survival on the other, there would be more cases of people suffering from mental problems in future.

Desperation drives people to alcohol and substance abuse which are related to mental problem. According to him, younger people who are suffering from anxiety will suffer from anxiety disorder if not treated.

The psychiatrist examined six mental patients from the local area during his stay. He also visited Nangkhor Higher Secondary School and talked to students about being mentally prepared to face examinations. Health workers from 12 basic health units and Pemagatshel Hospital attended the workshop. The workshop was a series of its kind being organised for primary health workers in the eastern Bhutan.

Dr Nirola said the timing of the workshop was apt as it would help equip health workers to deal with victims of the recent disasters and in the event of future disasters.

“People normally suffer from acute stress following disasters. The victims not only have to be treated but provided mental support to enable them to get back to normal life.”

Lack of awareness on mental health and facilities in the country for treatment is another big issue, according to Dr Nirola.

According to him, people suffering from mental disorder should not be restrained or confined unless they are violent.

By Gyembo Namgyal

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