NEWS

3-Day National Conference Inaugurated at Don Bosco College Sultan Bathery
The three-day National Conference on ‘Innovations in Interventions for the Indigenous Population’ was inaugurated at Don Bosco College, Sultan Bathery, on Thursday, January 9. It marks the beginning of fostering dialogue, research, and solutions for the empowerment of Indigenous communities.
The event, jointly organized by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), the Tribal Mental Health Project, and 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.
Father Dr. Antony Thekkedath, Rector and Manager of Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Subhasis Bhadra, Professor and Head of DPSSDM at NIMHANS Bengaluru, presented the objectives and scope of the conference and provided an overview of the focus areas, including mental health interventions and disaster resilience for tribal populations.
The Chairman of Sultan Bathery Municipality, Mr. T.K. Ramesh, inaugurated the conference. In his address, he said, “Raising awareness among Indigenous communities, empowering change through education, and providing land are crucial steps toward a sustainable future. Implementing effective precautions against natural disasters is equally vital, especially in vulnerable regions like Wayanad.”
The Director of IMHANS Kozhikode, Dr. P. Krishna Kumar, delivered the presidential address, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address the unique challenges faced by tribal communities. He also outlined the conference theme 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 healthcare access, and stronger mental health support systems. Prof. Menon underscored the importance of sustainability and hazard resilience in vulnerable communities. He also highlighted the TMHP project, which provides mobile mental health services to bridge these gaps and offer on-ground support to those in need.
Dignitaries like Dr. Gobinda Majhi, Ms. Aleen Barwa, Father George PS, and Dr. Jayakumar C. expressed their support and commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Dr. Jobin Tom, Organizing Secretary and Nodal Officer, TMHP, IMHANS, delivered the Vote of Thanks.