New Model College, Mangkolemba, organised a Workshop on Mental Awareness and Stress Management on 14th November 2026 at the MTSU Conference Hall, Mangkolemba. The programme was sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland. The workshop was attended by students and faculty members from New Model College, Baptist Higher Secondary School, Mangkolemba, and Government Higher Secondary School, Mangkolemba.
The programme was inaugurated with an invocation by the Pastor of Mangkolemba Town Baptist Arogo which was followed by the welcome address by Dr. Benjongkumba Aier (Principal, New Model College). This programme was led by Smt. Longchanenla, Assistant Professor and Nodal Officer, Mental Health Task Force, New Model College.Two resource persons from the District Mental Health Programme Mokokchung, Ms. Azungla Longkumer, Clinical Psychologist and Ms. Monica Kiaza Phom Psychiatric Social Worker were invited to attend the workshop.
In the first session, Ms. Azungla Longkumer gave a talk on mental health and various kinds of mental health disorders. She clarified their symptoms and how important it is to be diagnosed early and treated and cared for by professionals. She also emphasized the need for mental health awareness and combating the stigma surrounding mental health disorders.Ms Monica Kiaza Phom conducted the second session, discussing mental stress and coping strategies of mental stress. She spoke about ways to manage stress, the need to say ‘No’, to establish boundaries and prioritise mental health. She also emphasized that stress is temporary and the message was to “Nothing Lasts Forever”, urging students to create peer support groups and to build healthy support systems in their institutions. She also reminded those facing struggles to seek support from those close to them and that they should not hesitate to reach out for help.
The workshop was a good opportunity for students and faculty members of the three institutions to gain knowledge about mental health, identify stress and know how to keep their mental health positive. It also emphasized the need for empathy, understanding, and creating a supportive atmosphere that allows people to feel free to talk about their mental health issues and to get help.Finally, Mr. Potsiesie Kajiri, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, New Model College presented the Vote of thanks on behalf of the programme proposed by him and expressed his gratitude to the resource persons, the sponsoring department, the Chairperson, the Principal, the institutions and all those who helped in the successful conduct of the workshop.
