Observing International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking/World Drug Day, Health and Family Welfare Department under District Mental Health Programme organised an awareness and individual counseling programme on June 26 at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Leh.
 
Psychiatrist, SNM Hospital Leh, Dr. Padma Angmo highlighted the importance of organising the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. She also spoke about the theme for this year which is ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination Strengthen Prevention’. 

Explaining the theme, she said that to stop any bad habit, people need to stop stigmatization and discrimination to strengthen the prevention. She asked the students to get help from counselors through Tele MANAS toll-free helpline number 14416.
 
CMO Leh Dr Norzin Angmo while interacting with the students also focused on calling the toll-free no of Tele MANAS for any counseling related to mental health.
 
Counsellor Tele MANAS, Dr Dawa also highlighted the importance of mental health and stressed availing the benefits of Tele MANAS services.
 
Principal BHSS, Tsewang Dolma thanked the Health Department for organising the awareness programme at their school. She said that Higher Secondary School students are more prone to drugs and related practices and such awareness is the need of the hour for the student

Meanwhile, individual counselling sessions were held for the students by the counsellors of Tele MANAS.
 
The awareness and individual counselling programme was part of the National Health Mission's efforts to promote mental health and well-being among school children and their families. The programme aimed to create awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking and to provide psychological support and guidance to those who need it.
 
The participants appreciated the initiative taken by the Health Department and expressed their interest in learning more about mental health issues.