Agartala:A two-day workshop on mental health, adolescent health, drug addiction prevention, and child marriage was organised at Pragya Bhawan in Agartala, bringing together educators, administrators, and community representatives to discuss pressing social and health issues affecting the youth.
The workshop was attended by West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Bishal Kumar, along with headteachers from various schools across the district and representatives from the LGBTQIA+ community.
During the sessions, experts and officials deliberated on the growing concerns surrounding mental health issues among adolescents, emphasising the need for early identification and intervention at the school level. Discussions also focused on strategies to curb the rising menace of drug addiction among the youth, with participants stressing the importance of awareness programmes and counselling support in educational institutions.
The issue of child marriage, which continues to affect many families in the state despite legal prohibitions, was also extensively discussed, with speakers calling for stronger community engagement and stricter enforcement of existing laws to eliminate the practice.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Bishal Kumar underlined the importance of a collaborative approach involving schools, administration, and civil society to address these interconnected challenges effectively. He urged headteachers to play a proactive role in identifying vulnerable students and ensuring timely support and guidance.
The presence of LGBTQIA+ representatives at the workshop also brought attention to issues of inclusivity and mental well-being within marginalised communities, adding an important dimension to the broader discussions held over the two days.