Officials and faculty members during the launch of the WGC Wellness Club at Wangkhao Government College, Mon, on October 17.

Mon, October 19 (MExN): The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), under the District Health Society Mon, in collaboration with Wangkhao Government College (WGC), officially launched the ‘WGC Wellness Club’ on October 17 at Wangkhao Government College, Mon, in commemoration of World Mental Health Day.
The initiative aims to strengthen partnerships between health institutions and educational establishments to promote mental health awareness and foster a safe and supportive environment within the college and the broader community.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the DMHP team will conduct a series of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities from October 10 to November 10, 2025. These will focus on mental health promotion, early identification and treatment, capacity building, and improving access to and utilization of mental health services across the district.
In her welcome address, Dr Tialila, Principal of Wangkhao Government College, expressed gratitude to the DMHP team for their partnership. “College life is a journey of ambition, growth, and discovery, and in this hectic journey it is crucial to maintain emotional and physical well-being,” she said. She lauded the initiative for its positive approach and expressed hope that the collaboration would encourage open and meaningful conversations surrounding mental, emotional, and physical health.
Launching the club, Dr Wungyong Konyak, DPO (RCH & UIP), highlighted that health awareness in the community often requires consistent effort from the department, even in areas like maternal and child health. He observed that mental health remains one of the most neglected aspects of overall well-being. Advising students, he urged them to remain focused on their goals and to seek help when they feel lost, assuring that the DMHP team will always be available to guide and support their mental health journey.
Delivering the keynote address, K Loungnyem Konyak, Psychiatric Social Worker, recounted the journey of forming the Wellness Club and the growing community response to mental health initiatives.
“Earlier, we were the ones knocking on every door; today, civil societies invite us as resource persons,” he remarked, noting a positive shift in public attitude. He acknowledged, however, that stigma and cultural barriers persist. “With the launching of the Wellness Club, we envision breaking these barriers,” he said. Loungnyem also outlined the club’s vision, mission, and objectives, inviting students and faculty members to join the collective effort “to heal and be healed.”
The programme was chaired by H David Konyak, Assistant Professor, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Linokali Sumi, Clinical Psychologist.