Empowering Adolescents: A Mental Health Investment for the Future
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla emphasized the importance of equipping adolescents with mental health tools. At a national consultation in Bhopal, officials discussed initiatives like the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram peer-support program, highlighting the need for supportive environments for youth mental well-being.
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In a significant address, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla underscored the necessity of empowering adolescents with mental health resources. Speaking at a national consultation event in Bhopal, organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare alongside UNICEF and NIMHANS, he portrayed this empowerment as a crucial investment in the state and nation's future.
The event marked the launch of a national factsheet and a training module titled 'I Support My Friends,' augmenting the peer-support initiatives under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK). Shukla, who also serves as the state's health minister, emphasized creating an environment where young individuals feel heard and supported, ensuring they are equipped to thrive.
Minister of State for Health N Shivaji Patel and NIMHANS Director Dr. Pratima Murthy also stressed the urgent need for mental health support systems that allow adolescents to express their needs and receive empathetic support, signaling a shift from reactive to proactive community-rooted care.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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