¼ÛT.¾.hÐGÅ.Gż.ºHá¼ü REG. No. JKENG/2013/55210 Rs. 15/- R EACH VOL. 8 ISSUE 15 PAGES 8 L ADAKH B ULLETIN August 16-31, 2020 Fortnightly Special Fortnightly Special Countering stress and depression 4 Fortnightly Highlights 5 Find us on FACEBOOK: Reach Ladakh Follow us on twitter: ReachLadakhBulletin Visit our website: www.reachladakh.com Brief News Mental health issues a growing concern in Leh Hill Council, Leh celebrates From July 2020, nearly 150 cases registered in mental health OPD, SNM Hospital 74th Independence Day Stanzin Dasal also contribute to the issue. Leh: Gyal P Wangyal, CEC, Hill Coun- Leh: Around 300 new cases of mental health problems “High altitude could raise the risk of depression, sui- cil, Leh hoisted the national flag during ranging from severe mental disorders like Schizophre- cide cases. Studies have been carried out in High alti- the 74th Independence Day celebration nia, bipolar disorder, to common mental disorders like tude areas of America where they found that the rate of at Council Secretariat. depression to anxiety disorder, and substance abuse reg- suicide cases is more as compared to the areas of lower CEC was accorded a guard of honour by istered at SNM hospital in five months (data of 2018). altitude. It is believed that lack of oxygen at high alti- tudes, could be interfering with people's mental health. newly formed Ladakh Police. On July 13, 2020, a mental health OPD was formally We still have to study further according to the pattern for launched by the Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur at He greeted the people and extended his further detail”, she added. warm greeting on the occasion of the SNM hospital. Though the OPD was in existence since 74th 'Independence Day' celebration. 2018 due to some reasons it was not fully functional. Many of the mental health cases go unreported in the Also conveyed his heartiest greetings Aiming to provide help and support to the people who region reason being less awareness, ignorance, and stig- and congratulations to the brave soldiers have mental health issues, the OPD has given a ray of matization. It was found that even educated people tend of Ladakh Scouts, ITBP, Ladakh Police, positive hopes to many who seek help and attention. to ignore or feel insecure to talk about it openly. There is a need for more awareness among the people about the CRP, CISF and BSF forces deployed in After the launch of OPD, near around 150 mental health tific Research in the year 2018, a total of 310 new pa- mental health issue as it can affect anyone. Ladakh and Ladakhi students studying cases ( includes both the new and follow up cases) was tients registered in the Psychiatry OPD in a period of across country and abroad. registered. five months from March to July 2018. Comparing the Stigmatization is a major concern because many people number of cases reported, depression and anxiety are see mental health issues as something to be embarrassed Dr. Padma Angmo, (MD Psychiatry) Psychiatrist and slightly more common among the female. From 8 years or ashamed of. Many consider people suffering from State nodal officer , national mental health program UT DISCLAIMER to 82 years old, patients of all age groups are seeking mental health issue as abnormal, violent, and weak. Ladakh, who worked in Delhi prior joining to SNM Reach Ladakh does not take re- mental health care attention. 69.35% of the patients Thus, many steps back to support and help them. sponsibility for the contents of the hospital said, “When I first started to work in Ladakh I were in the age group of 20-59 yrs. While 56.5% of pa- Advertisements Display/classified assumed that there won’t be much of the cases but sur- tients were married, 38.4 % of patients were unmarried The growing concern and alarming issue in Ladakh published in this newspaper. The prisingly the prevalence and pattern seemed similar to and a small percent of the patients were separated or is substance abuse among school-going children and paper does not endorse the same. Delhi. Compared to the sparse population of the region divorced or widowed. youths. Readers are requested to verify the the number of cases reported is quite high.” Dr. Padma Angmo stated that more ground work or Addiction to cannabis and volatile substances and inhal- contents on their own before acting Also, this year because of the COVID-19 pandem- ants is rampant in society. Many believe that all those there upon. study is needed to be precise because so far all the fig- ic, many people are experiencing mental health issue. ures and assumptions are based on the number of cases habits and exposure is because of the changing lifestyle Economy loss is becoming a rising concern during this reporting to the hospital. No community based ground and negative impact of the tourism industry. Dr. Pad- pandemic as many in the region are depended on sea- study or research has been done regarding the preva- ma stressed the need of understanding the root cause sonal earning, hefty loan from banks, fear of losing jobs, lence of the problem in society. of youths getting addicted to such habits and how such uncertainty and many more are directly related to the things are made available. mental health problem. Talking about the reason behind the rising mental health issue she said, “Stress is the biggest factor leading to de- “Substance abuse is badly prevalent not just limited Mental health problems, including depression, drug ad- to alcohol or tobacco but drugs like opioids have also Courtesy Tsetan Angmo Courtesy Tsetan pression and many other issues. Growing competition diction, and suicides are becoming a growing concern and pressure to stand out, earn more, etc. affect mental creeped in our society”, she added. in the Ladakh region.According to the research paper health”. compiled by Dr. Padma Angmo and Dr. Mohd. Iqbal , ...Continues on Page 3 DHO published in the International Journal of Scien- Not just stress leads to depression many other factors Ladakh celebrates 74th Independence Day with great enthusiasm As UT, it marks the beginning of a new era of growth & support from the Veteran BJP, Congress leaders join hands to Union Govt, says L-G Mathur strengthen LBA Decides unanimously to work for the betterment of Ladakh region Stanzin Dasal kh region were raised and achieved on Leh: Amidst chaos and confusion after the LBA platform, therefore urged all the formation of Ladakh as Union terri- stakeholders to use this platform, not for tory, veteran politician including Thup- political debate but to discuss and debate stan Chhewang, Former MP; Nawang about the future development of Ladakh. Correction and clarification Rigzin Jora and Chering Dorjay Lakruk, MP Thupstan Chhewang clearly ex- Former Ministers decided to come on pressed the willingness to work for the It is the policy of ‘Reach Ladakh Bul- one platform and work for the welfare of betterment of Ladakh without taking part letin’ to correct significant errors as Ladakh region. in politics. He informed his disagree- soon as possible. Please specify the ment to accept offers made by political edition, date, news item or the article. R K Mathur, Lieutenant Governor saluting the national flag at Pologround Leh, Ladakh. Surprisingly, all three leaders are not go- ing to fight the upcoming Hill Council parties including Ambassador seat. You can contact at 9858394403 or Stanzin Dasal election, rather decided to strengthen the email at [email protected]. He also remembered the brave soldiers Nawang Rigzin Jora also announced not Ladakh Buddhist Association. to take part in any electoral process but All communication must carry the full Leh: Ensuring all safety protocols, in- who laid down their lives to defend terri- being the President of Congress party, postal address and telephone numbers. cluding social distancing and wearing torial integrity and praised Indian armed A meeting was held on the initiative of masks, Ladakh celebrated the 74th Inde- forces, paramilitary forces, and Indian Former, Rajya Sabha member, His Em- Ladakh he will only help Congress party pendence day with full enthusiasm on Air force for playing a pivotal role in the inence Thiksey Khenpo Rinpoche on during the election. August 15. development of the region and has taken August 4 at Thiksay Monastery Library. Also, Chering Dorjay promised to work care of the people of Ladakh in times of REACH LADAKH BULLETIN R K Mathur, Lieutenant Governor un- Sources who chose to remain anonymous for strengthening LBA and announced need and difficulties. not to take part in politics. He also in- Owner, Publisher & Printer: furled the national flag at Pologround, said that nearly 40 people including LBA Tundup Dorjey Leh while in Kargil, Feroz Ahmed Khan, Amidst COVID-19 pandemic, Lieu- President, Vice President, and District formed that he rejected number of offers CEC, Hill Council, Kargil unfurled the tenant Governor expressed gratitude to Presidents of the political party attended to work for Ladakh on this neutral plat- Editor: Stanzin Dasal tricolor at Khree Sultan Cho stadium, all the COVID-19 warriors including, the meeting. All the participants unani- form. Sales & Marketing: Tsering Morup Bymathang. doctors, nurses, paramedics, municipal mously decided to work for strengthen- LBA President, PT Kunzang; BJP Pres- staff, police, and administration. ing LBA for the betterment of Ladakh. Layout: Raul Chhokkun Addressing the gathering, R K Mathur ident, Dorjay Angchuk, and Congress They stressed the need to safeguard for extended his warm greetings to all the Talking about the keen interest of Prime President, Tsering Namgyal also spoke Published at: Ladakh region and decided to work col- people of Ladakh and congratulated on Minister Narendra Modi to develop La- on the occasion.