Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 11/23

MEGHALAYA LAUNCHES STATE MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE

Meghalaya launches the State Mental Health Helpline 14410, an on call mental health assistance designed to increase access to affordable and quality mental health services in the State.

A proud moment for us all, a month after coming up with the State Mental Health policy, we are able to follow it up with the introduction of this Mental Health Helpline, which is crucial for providing mental health assistance to those in need in a timely manner, said the health minister, Shri James K Sangma at the launch, in the presence of Shri. P. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Smt. R.M Kurbah, IAS, Secretary, Shri. Ramkumar S, IAS, Mission Director of National Health Mission, Dr. Y.A. Phira, CEO, State Mental Health Authority, Meghalaya and Dr. S.S. Nongbri, Director, DHS (MI,MCH and FW) cum Jt. MD of National Health Mission, Meghalaya.

The toll free number will be operational from 10 AM to 5 PM from Monday to Friday and callers can select Khasi, Garo, Pnar, Hindi, or English as their language of choice for availing services. About 50 counsellors from various districts will be connected through the helpline. Eventually, the helpline will be available 24 X 7 and integrated with the Centre's Tele MANAS Network (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States).

Callers will be connected to mental health specialists like psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and psychologists as required. In case the caller requires an in-person service, he or she will be referred to a health and wellness centre or primary healthcare or tertiary healthcare.

Earlier in the month of December, Meghalaya became the first state in the North-east and third in the country to come up with its own Comprehensive policy for Mental Health and Social Care Policy with the vision to promote overall mental health and well-being and facilitate appropriate access and care pathways for common and severe mental health concerns. It aims to reduce the extent of disability, morbidity, mortality, and social suffering.

Press Release No. 12/23

CM INAUGURATES ROAD PROJECTS, WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT GAROBADHA

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday inaugurated series of projects namely, Water Treatment Plant of Greater Garobadha Water Supply Scheme of PHE department and Periodic Renewal of AMPT Road (Portion 103rd km to 124th km) under Systematic Maintenance and Upgradatation of 11 km Garobadha Selsella Balachanda Road including 3 km AMPT road to intermediate Lane at an impressive function held at Garobadha Higher Secondary School on Friday.

The inaugural programme was also attended by Tura Municipal Board Chairman, J.D. Sangma, Khadi and Village Industries Board Chairman, Subir Marak, officials of the District Administration, PWD and PHE departments among others. The Chief Minister also inspected the Water Treatment Plant of Greater Garobadha WSS at Megonggre village on his way to Selsella.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Government in the past five years have constructed number of roads across the state through externally aided projects and other schemes, more than the number of roads constructed in previous 20 years.

Through these statistics, one can learn how much this government prioritizes construction of roads and maximum budget from Central schemes and externally aided funds have been earmarked for construction of roads, he said. Sectors like health, business, tourism, etc benefitted immensely out of these road constructions and I thank the Engineers, officials of the department and contractors concerned for completing these roads on time. Stating that Garobadha Selsella road is as important as Garobadha Tura road as lifeline of the people of the area, he said that even as Meghalaya attained 50 years of statehood, these roads were neglected for a very long time, adding that his government have ensured completion of these roads to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

The Chief Minister also observed that another major problem of the area was shortage of drinking water. Less than one percent of households, only about 4500 households, in Meghalaya had tap water connection. Today, Meghalaya is one of the best performing states in tap water connection, through schemes like JJM and other state schemes. Today about 3 lakh households in the state have functional tap water connections in their houses, he said. According to the Department officials, Greater Garobadha WSS will benefit 96 villages and 8995 households under Rongram, Selsella, Betasing and Rerapara C and RD Blocks.

The Chief Minister also observed that PHE department has become one of the most active departments as the Government has unceasingly lent support by bringing schemes and projects for the department and thanked the engineers and contractors of the department for becoming one of the most performing departments in recent years. He admitted that his government was not doing different things but doing them differently just as he had stated before taking over reins of the government, adding that other departments also have been performing well with the state government's support who has been effectively using them for public services and development of the state. Sangma also laid stress on the importance of follow up, accountability and team work and thanked the government officials, political leaders and all other departments for their dedication, team spirit and contributing generously towards the progress of the state.

Earlier, the Chief Minister, while laying the foundation stone for construction of Multi-Facility Hall of Manchak Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) at Dengnakpara under Rerapara C and RD Block of South West Garo Hills, lauded the efforts of the Society and their numerous livelihood activities. He said that an amount of Rs 60 lakh has been sanctioned by the Government for construction of multi facility hall and another Rs.20 lakh for taking up Ramie cultivation in the area under the guidance of Dr. Merril Sangma, former official of the Agriculture department