The Uttarakhand Health Department will strengthen the morale of disaster-affected people; health workers will receive special training in collaboration with NIMHANS-Bengaluru.* *Health workers will be prepared in every district to heal the mental wounds of disaster-affected people: Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar* For some time now, Uttarakhand has been facing a series of natural disasters. Landslides, cloudbursts, and excessive rainfall have disrupted normal life. These disasters have not only affected the state’s physical infrastructure but have also had a profound impact on people’s mental health and mood. Taking this challenge seriously, following the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar has launched a significant initiative in the state to address mental health during disasters. Under this initiative, the State Mental Health Authority, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Uttarakhand, in collaboration with the Government of India and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, is providing specialized training to health workers across the state to provide mental health and psychosocial support services to those affected during and after a disaster. This training program was launched at the Health Department’s training center in Chander Nagar, Dehradun. The training program will be conducted in three phases. First batch: Dehradun district Second batch: Pauri Garhwal district Third batch: Nainital district Over the next two months, approximately 100 health workers from across the state will be trained. These include psychiatrists, medical officers, community health officers, counselors, and social workers. These trained workers will provide mental health support to disaster-affected families at the district and block levels. Visionary Steps for a Disaster-Prone State Uttarakhand’s geographical conditions make it one of the most disaster-prone states in the country. Heavy rainfall, landslides, cloudbursts, and road damage have become commonplace in the state. This year’s devastating cloudburst disaster in the Dharali region once again proved that physical rehabilitation alone is insufficient in such situations. These incidents not only result in loss of life and property, but also leave a deep-seated sense of depression, anxiety, fear, and insecurity in affected families. The Health Department has played a crucial role in providing primary health services to affected areas over the years, and this training program will prove to be a decisive step towards integrating disaster management with psychological rehabilitation. *Statement by Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar* Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said, “Under the guidance of Chief Minister Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the Health Department is paying special attention to the human aspect of disaster management. Disasters not only destroy homes and lives, but also shatter hearts.” Our goal is to ensure that every district in Uttarakhand has trained health workers who not only provide medical assistance but also understand the emotional suffering of the people and empower them mentally. This training program, in collaboration with NIMHANS, Bengaluru, will provide new strength and sensitivity to the state’s health system. Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that the initiative will not only restore the morale of disaster-affected communities but is also an important step towards establishing the state as a leader in mental health care. Disaster relief in the state will no longer only mean physical rehabilitation; “peace of mind and mental safety” will also be an integral part of this process. *Purpose and Significance of the Training* The objective of this training program is to make mental health rehabilitation an integral part of health care during disasters. Expert trainers from the Government of India and NIMHANS, Bengaluru, are teaching health workers how to communicate with victims after a disaster, how to identify psychological conditions such as stress, trauma, depression, and fear, and how to develop community-based counseling and group support mechanisms. How to enhance resilience in disaster-affected communities. After the training, all participants will be included in the state-level mental health disaster response network, enabling them to provide immediate relief and psychosocial support in case of any emergency. *Healing not only physical but also mental wounds is essential – Dr. Sunita Tamta* The program was inaugurated by Dr. Sunita Tamta, Director General, Medical Health and Family Welfare. She stated that given Uttarakhand’s geographical location, disasters are inevitable. Healing not only physical but also mental wounds is equally important after these disasters. This initiative will make the state’s disaster management system more humane and effective. Dr. Shikha Jangpangi, Director of Medical Health and Chief Executive Officer, State Mental Health Authority, Uttarakhand; Dr. Sunita Chuphal, Principal, Training Center; Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Manikappa and Dr. Anil (NIMHANS, Bengaluru), along with Dr. Sumit Dev Burman, Dr. Vimlesh Joshi, Dr. Sujata, and Dr. Pankaj Singh were also present on the occasion
