3 day National Conference on Innovations in Interventions for the Indigenous Population Inaugurated at Don Bosco College, Sultan Bathery

Sultan Bathery, January 9, 2025: The three day National Conference on “Innovations in Interventions for the Indigenous Population” was inaugurated at Don Bosco College, Sultan Bathery, on Thursday. The event, jointly organized by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Tribal Mental Health Project, the Department of Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, and Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad brought together experts to address mental and physical health issues faced by tribal communities.

Rev. Dr. Antony Thekkedath, Rector and Manager of Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, delivered the welcome address, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to host a conference of national importance. The objectives and scope of the conference were presented by Dr. Subhasis Bhadra, Prof and Head, DPSSDM, NIMHANS Bengaluru, who provided an overview of the focus areas, including mental health interventions and disaster resilience for tribal populations.

Mr. T.K. Ramesh, Chairman of Sultan Bathery Municipality, inaugurated the conference. In his address, he emphasized, “Raising awareness among Indigenous communities, empowering change through education, and providing land are crucial steps toward a sustainable future. It’s equally vital to implement effective precautions against natural disasters, especially in vulnerable regions like Wayanad.”

 Dr. P. Krishna Kumar, Director of IMHANS Kozhikode, delivered the presidential address, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address the unique challenges faced by tribal communities. He also outlined the theme of the conference and highlighted the mental health issues affecting Indigenous populations.

Prof. N. Vinod Chandra Menon, Founder Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, delivered the keynote address at the conference, highlighting critical gaps in access to health and mental health services, particularly among Indigenous populations. He emphasized the urgent need for improved disaster management strategies, equitable access to healthcare, and stronger support systems for mental health. Prof. Menon also underscored the importance of sustainability and hazard resilience in vulnerable communities. He also highlighted TMHP project, which provides mobile mental health services to bridge these gaps and offer on-ground support to those in need.

The conference was felicitated by esteemed dignitaries Dr. Gobinda Majhi, Ms. Aleen Barwa, Fr. George PS, and Dr. Jayakumar C., who expressed their support and commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Dr. Jobin Tom Organising Secretary and Nodal Officer, TMHP, IMHANS delivered the Vote of Thanks.

The inauguration marked the beginning of a significant event aimed at fostering dialogue, research, and solutions for the empowerment of indigenous communities.