CCI (CHILDREN CARE INDIA)

AIPE INTERNATIONAL, CANADA

The CCI has kindly sanctioned the following projects to our NEED organisation for their development. Progress report of project coordinator, NEED-CCI project- 2021-2022 1.Children education project: - I have been working as a project coordinator in Children Care International (CCI) project since 2003 when it was started in Andhra Pradesh, India. CCI supported to 60 children from 16 villages for their studies that who are totally poor and child labor. Some of them are orphan and semi orphan children. Most of children are belongs to fishing community. Most of children finished their studies and some children dropped out from their studies. Some children got government jobs & private jobs. Some children are in job trail. They are searching for jobs. This year CCI supported to only 10 children for their studies. Some of them are studying in colleges and some of them are preparing for competitive exams at their homes. So, I have visited their colleges and homes and discussed with them regarding their health, education progress and their requirements. They said that they are fine & studying well and also, they wanted tuition fee, hostel fee, uniforms, traveling expenses, books, stationary and other requirements. So, I have provided their requirements in time that which they needed. And also, I visited all villages once or twice in a month and interacted with their parents and discussed with them about their health and livelihood progress. And I discussed with them about their children’s health and education progress. Some parents felt very happy because of their children got jobs. They said they are indebted to CCI.

1.Children education project: -

I have been working as a project coordinator in Children Care International (CCI) project since 2003 when it was started in Andhra Pradesh, India. CCI supported to 60 children from 16 villages for their studies that who are totally poor and child labor. Some of them are orphan and semi orphan children. Most of children are belongs to fishing community. Most of children finished their studies and some children dropped out from their studies. Some children got government jobs & private jobs. Some children are in job trail. They are searching for jobs. This year CCI supported to only 10 children for their studies. Some of them are studying in colleges and some of them are preparing for competitive exams at their homes. So, I have visited their colleges and homes and discussed with them regarding their health, education progress and their requirements. They said that they are fine & studying well and also, they wanted tuition fee, hostel fee, uniforms, traveling expenses, books, stationary and other requirements. So, I have provided their requirements in time that which they needed. And also, I visited all villages once or twice in a month and interacted with their parents and discussed with them about their health and livelihood progress. And I discussed with them about their children’s health and education progress. Some parents felt very happy because of their children got jobs. They said they are indebted to CCI.

2.Family financial support project: -

- We are working with 30 microcredit women in 5 villages. At the beginning CCI supported 14 microcredit women in 4 villages for their businesses that who are totally poor and having school age children. Some of them are single women and they are totally fishing community. This year CCI supported to 22 women each 15,000/- per head. It is depending on their business needs. They should definitely do the business with our support and send their children to the school. I visited their villages once or twice in a month and discussed about their businesses progress. And also, I visited their homes one to one and discussed about their health and. children’s studies. And also conducted awareness meetings with them and discussed about new loans, personal hygiene, water & sanitation. At present we have 32 microcredit women. Our support is very useful to develop their businesses and also, they get good profits. I discussed with their children about their education progress and given some suggestion to them for their betterment. And I visited some schools that where they are studying and discussed with their teachers about our children regularity & progress. And I gather the information of new women that who need our support. I prepare their case studies and monthly reports to send to CCI.

3.Anganwadi project: -

We run anganwadi center with 13 children in Thammayyapalam village supported by CCI due to lack of government anganwadi center. We run this center at teacher’s home due to lack of permanent shelter in the village. Daily teacher prepare lunch to the children due to we have no cook. Later then she goes to children’ homes and take them to the Anganwadi center. After then she teaches lessons, songs and play games to the children. We provide the slates, slate pencils, playing materials, snacks and lunch to the children at the center. I visited our center and discussed with teacher about children regularity and requirements for center. I discussed with their parents about children’s health and attendance. I supply all requirements in time whatever they need to the center except vegetables. Every month I purchased the snacks and lunch material from Aditya Gupta Departmental stores in Vizianagaram. But teacher purchases the vegetables once in a week. Government sanction anganwadi center in this village in February’2021. So, we stopped our support from February’2021.

4.Nutrition project: -

CCI supported nutrition materials for primary school and Anganwadi school children in Barripeta and Thammayyapalam villages from September’2020 due to Covid pandemic. This year CCI supported to 96 children in those villages. I conducted awareness meeting with children and their parents and discussed about importance of education. Every month I purchased the nutrition materials from Aditya Gupta Departmental stores in Vizianagaram and distributed to the children in their villages. The materials are Red dol ½ kg, Peanuts ½ kg, jaggery ½ kg, dates ½ kg, 1kg oil packet, sesame balls one packet, 1kg salt packet, one biscuit packet and two detal soaps for each child. I visited those schools once in a month and discussed with them about their education and attendance progress. And also, frequently I send progress reports to CCI Canada by mail regarding children, parents, project activities & fund situation. And also, I send the information to CCI that which they needed.

NEED-PREM VISWASAM CHILDREN HOME-BOBBILI

Children education Project - Supported by Hand in Hand, Germany

This Viswasam Children Home project is implementing at Siripurapu Street Bobbili. There are 60 children from 1st standard to Intermediate who are orphans and semi orphans, Most of the children are from poor families of Different communities from various villages of Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. We provide them free education, shelter, food, uniform, books, stationary, health and other Requirements. Some of the elder children are studying ITI courses and some are intermediate. We conduct health camp once in a month at children home. And also conduct tuition in the morning and evening for all the classes. One of the intermediate girls got prize of appreciation from Junior college for her discipline and regular to the college. And some children participated in cultural programs and won 2 nd Prize for their performance in Bobbili town, and we are very happy that all 10th class children (7 children) secured good marks in public Examinations in 2022-2023. And four of them are joining in intermediate 2 girls Bi.Pc and 2 boys

JAL JEEVAN MISSION (JJM)

The Government of Andhra Pradesh and Department of Water and Sanitation has been sanctioned this Jal Jeevan Mission Project to our NEED organisation for five sub-divisions in vizianagaram and Parvatipuram Manyam Districts of Andhra Pradesh. In this year 2022-23 NEED Organisation implement Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the Districts of Vizianagaram and Parvathipuram Manyam with 5 Sub Divisions i.e Bobbili, Bhogapuram, Parvathipuram, Salur and Kurupam. Government of India has restructured and subsumed the ongoing National Rural Drinking Water Programme(NRDWP) into Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household i.e., HarGharNal Se Jal (HGNSJ) by 2024. The following kinds of works/ schemes are proposed to be taken up under JJM:

• In-village water supply (PWS) infrastructure for tap water connection to every household;
• Reliable drinking water source development/ augmentation of existing sources; Transfer of water (multi-village scheme; where quantity & quality issues are there in the local water sources);
• Technological intervention for treatment to make water potable (where water quality is an issue, but quantity is sufficient);
• Retrofitting of completed and ongoing piped water supply schemes to provide FHTC and raise the service level;
• Grey water management Capacity building of various stakeholders and support activities to facilitate the implementation.

About Jal Jeevan Mission

Jal Jeevan Mission, is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting. The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission. The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission. JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. As a Implementing Support Agency (ISA) We are doing the following activities in Jal Jeevan Mission Programme: Formation of (GPWSC) – We are forming Grama Panchayat wise Water and Sanitation Committee for Management of JJM Works, Monitoring of the works, Bank account operations and maintenance etc.,

• VAPs Preparation / Streamline
• JJM Books updating at Grama Panchayat Level. Houses visits
• water related issues identification
• water related issues/problems resolve with the support of Department.
• Awareness programs including IEC Activities. (Ex., Wallwritings,Posters , Slogans , Hording etc… )
• Organise capacity building programs
• Organise hand wash programs
• Organise street play/Kalajat
• Organise Gram Sabhas at Gram Panchayat Level and Village level.
• Organise Rallies on JJM and IEC Activities.
• Distribution of IEC material
• Identification of FHTCs newly connected
• Opening of Bank accounts
• Mobilisation of User charges/community contribution collected from the community
• Raise the community contributions i.e Donations , CSR fund, Grants, 15th finance commission grants etc.,
• Organise FTKs Testing with five members with the support of Engineering assistant.
• Follow up and monitoring of O&M (Operation and Maintenance) of FHTC and JJM assets.
• VWSC and Bank Account - Book Keeping (Cash Book, Ledger, Vouchers, Bills and other registers)
• Conduct WASH with the support of Government and donor agencies.
• Organise Convergence with Line Departments at Village level and Gram Panchayat Level.
• Organise Manadal / Dist. Conferences with District Officials
• Conduct FTK testings
• Collect samples and send it to the department

APILIP-II

Andhra Pradesh Irrigation and Livelihood Improvement Project

The NEED Organisation implemented APILIP-II Programme in the Districts of Vizianagaram and Parvathipuram Districts. NEED-Support organization has accomplished the WUA data collection from the 5 Medium and 71 minor irrigation projects. New staff divided in to 3 Areas and Approached to collect data from Mandal Revenue Officers, D.E’s,A.E’s, Sachivalam staff and Line Departments.

Department of Irrigation

SO is coordinating with the department of Irrigation facilitating the interventions at ground level which are approved by the DIU and PMU. The department is waiting for the release of budgets and guidelines from the government. The SO is creating awareness to the farmers on department programs Wallslogans, WUA Abstracts, PIM & Microplans.

Support for enhancement of livelihoods.

The support towards enhancement of livelihoods to the target community is planned from the department of Animal Husbandry, Fishery and Agriculture. The PMU has been approved some of the support interventions under each department. To ground those interventions under each department, the project made it mandatory of preparation of micro-plans for each WUA under major irrigation project. In this connection,NEED-Support Organization has organized orientation meetings with the farmers before conducting the micro-plan exercise. The PRA has been conducted in 35 WUA’s on the agreed schedules by the farmers and based on the data collected during the PRA, the SO has prepared 35 Micro-plans as of now.The micro-plans are reflecting the needs and problems pertaining to the services /interventions of the departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.The SO is consulting the departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries in connection to facilitate the grounding those interventions to the villages where the micro-plans are approved.

Department of Animal Husbandry

NEED-SO is coordinating with the department of Animal Husbandry towards facilitating the interventions at ground level which are approved by the PMU. The department is waiting for the release of budgets and guidelines from the government. The SO is creating awareness to the farmers on department programs like vaccination to the cattle, Artificial insemination, Goat/Sheep rearing, Backyard poultry, Cattle sheds, Fodder cultivation etc

Department of Fisheries

SO is closely coordinating with the department of Fisheries in facilitating the interventions at community level which are approved by the PMU. The department is waiting for the release of budgets guidelines from the government. The SO is creating awareness to the members of Fisheries Cooperative Societies on department programs like Fish landing centres, Captive Fish shed nurseries, supply of fish seed in public water bodies, stocking of juvenile Prawn in public water bodies etc.

Support organization internal review meetings

NEED is used to organize review meeting with the project staff at 15 days intervals. The IDC and Director of the organization would ensure the review meetings to understand the status of the program deliverables and to discuss the project priorities. SO organized 9 review meetings at NEED Central Office Saluru.

Programs organized by the SO

Our NEED-Support Organisation has conducted Microplan Activities (PRA,Transacrwalk,WUA Meetings,Focuss Group Disscussions) at the 75 Project WUA’s under Minor and Medium Project.

CRECHE CENTERS

The Women & Child welfare department, Govt of AP has sanctioned the 19 Crèche Centers at Pachipenta, Salur and Makkuva Mandals. In the above 19 with 342 Children. The following activities are going on.

Services provided in the Crèche Centers

• Facilities including Sleeping Facilities.
• Early Stimulation for children below 3 years and Pre-school Education for 3 to 6 years old children.
• Supplementary Nutrition (to be locally sourced)
• Growth Monitoring.
• Health Check-up and Immunization

TARGET GROUP

The scheme focuses on children of 6 months to 6 years, of working women in rural and urban areas who are employed for a minimum period of 15 days in a month, or six months in a year.

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES AND FUNCTIONARIES

Ideally the number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25. Of these, at least 40 percent of children should, preferably, be below 3 years of age. It is important that adequate trained worker and helper are available to provide day care facilities and to supervise the functioning of the crèche. In addition to crèche worker, there should be one crèche helper looking after children.

Drinking water and Sanitary Facilities

The centre must have safe and regular drinking water facility. For this, centre should install a water filter/purifier which should be cleaned regularly. In places where there is shortage of water, adequate arrangements for storage of water may be done. At least one tank of 300 liters capacity may be installed. Child friendly toilets including for children with special needs should be available keeping in view the safety and security of children at the centre. A clean, Indian type child-friendly toilet with water facilities, soap, clean cloth/towel, garbage bin, wash basin/sink at low level and an exhaust fan should be part of the centre. The water tap should be placed at a height that can be used independently by children. The crèche should have a regular supply of cleaning material such as phenyl, disinfectants, rooms and swabs, dustbins, garbage bins etc. Regular supervision may be done for improving the services and maintaining hygienic conditions in crèche.

AroRice

Introduction

NEED is proud to partner with AgroPlus Production and Solutions Pvt. Ltd., based in Kerendatangi, Chandpur, Nayagarh, Odisha, in supporting the agricultural development of tribal and farming communities in the districts of Kalahandi, Koraput, Kandhamal, and Mayurbhanj. As an organization focused on empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture, NEED has provided critical technical assistance and hand-holding support to the Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) in these regions. Our collaboration with AgroPlus has been aimed at enhancing the productivity and sustainability of farming practices, thereby ensuring a lasting impact on the livelihoods of local farmers.

Key Contributions by NEED

NEED’s contributions to this partnership include:

• Training and Capacity Building: NEED has provided in-depth training sessions to equip farmers with essential knowledge about sustainable farming, organic methods, and effective use of biofertilizers, enabling them to increase productivity and improve crop management.
• Farmer Mobilization: One of the challenges in rural and tribal areas is ensuring farmer participation. NEED’s efforts in mobilizing farmers have strengthened FPOs, allowing them to become more organized and self-sustaining.
• Hand-holding Support: To ensure the success of the project, NEED provided ongoing hand-holding support in various technical and organizational aspects, guiding FPOs throughout the implementation stages to foster long-term sustainability.

Project "AroRice"

Under the Arorice project, AgroPlus Production and Solutions Pvt. Ltd., with NEED’s technical guidance, aims to promote organic aromatic rice farming in five districts of Odisha: Nayagarh, Koraput, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, and Kandhamal. This initiative seeks to uplift the livelihoods of local farmers by focusing on increasing productivity and enabling access to export markets for aromatic rice varieties.
ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) has signed a Memorandum of Association (MOA) with AgroPlus to facilitate the export of aromatic rice. The use of organic farming techniques and biofertilizers will be central to this project, promoting sustainable practices and increasing the income of farmers involved in the production of aromatic rice.
Varieties of Aromatic Rice The project emphasizes the cultivation of high-value aromatic rice varieties, including:

Katrani, Sabour Surbhit, CR-DHANI 909, Sonachur, RNR 15048, Poornabhog, CR-DHANI 908, Gobindo Bhog, Chakhao, CR-DHANI 910, Kerala Matta, and Ketaki Joha.
Additionally, newly developed rice varieties like IRR-1821, Gelhei Kanti, Haladi Gundi, Pateri, Tila Kasturi, Kusuma Kali, and various Chakhao strains (A1, A, B, C, D, E, F) will be introduced to improve yields and diversify production.
NEED is honored to be part of this impactful collaboration with AgroPlus Production and Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Through our partnership, we have helped foster sustainable agricultural practices while empowering the farming community in Odisha. Together, we look forward to continuing this journey toward promoting organic aromatic rice cultivation, enhancing farmers' livelihoods, and contributing to economic growth through export opportunities.

HILL TOP PREGNANT WOMENS Hostel at YTC,SALUR

With the Honorable support from ITDA, Parvatipuram, We established Pregnant Women’s Hostel for Hill top Tribal pregnant women. The ITDA, Parvathipuram established Pregnant Women’s hostel for who are facing transport and Medical Problems at the time of delivery due to lack of Transport Facilities. Most of hill top women are facing deaths of their infants during the delivery time. So the ITDA Established Pregnant women’s hostel and shifted them to this hostel from their 7th month of their pregnancy and providing Nutrition food and Boarding , Medical facility, Counseling and yoga etc will be provided. Provide ambulance services in case of emergency. Services provided by the pregnant women’s hostel 2022-23

Pregnant women status

Date : 01/04/2023
Pregnant women status
Total admissions : 1215
Total delivery. : 1191
Totals mandalas : 12
Total villages. :141
Staying : 26
Normal delivares :1022
Ls.c.s. : 169
""""""""" PHC WISE """"""""
Gn peta phc : 17
Pachipenta.Phc :02
Mamidipalli phc. :0
Thonam phc. :02
Baguvalasa phc. :02
Sambara phc. : 01
Makkuva phc. :
Arikathotta phc. : 02
Devupalli phc. :
"""""" MANDAL WISE, """""
pachipenta. : 471
saluru. : 590
makkuva. : 49
Bondapalli. : 01
merakamudadam. : 01
parvathipuram. :7
komarada : 12
Vepada. : 01
Mentada : 04
R.B.puram. :74
Bobbli : 01
G m valasa : 01
Srikakulam : 01
Leaves : 0
Drop out : 0
Saluru chc admitted : 0
Vzm Gosha Reference:0

UNICEF-URBAN WASH PROGRAMME

With the Support of Unicef-SARDS , NEED Organisation is undertaking various initiatives at School/College/Community level in the AIIB supported ULB of SALUR & PARVATHIPURAM in Parvathipuram Manyam District , AP state. Co-ordination with ULB officials on a timely basis plays major role for efficient delivery of the project and effective reach of initiatives. Hence Water And Sanitation Hygiene ( WASH) in our SALUR & Parvathipuram ULBs for implementation of WASH programme in 5 Government Schools Conducted Global Hand Wash Day in Salur & Parvathipuram ULBs, World Toilet Day programme in Salur & Parvathipuram ULBs

CARBON CREDIT PROGRAMME

Objective of the Programme :

To Provide additional income to farmers who are growing Mango & Cashew by selling Co2.

Area Covered:

Parvatipuram manyam district and Vizianagaram Districts and covered around 2000 farmers.

Credit Usages:

• Carbon credits were devised as a mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Companies get a set number of credits, which decline over time, and they can sell any excess to another company. Carbon credits create a monetary incentive for companies to reduce their carbon emissions.
• Farmers can earn carbon credits by adopting practices such as agro forestry, peat land restoration and management, enhancement of organic carbon content on soils, nutrient management on cropland and grasslands, livestock and manure management, and more.

ADITYA BIRLA EDUCATION TRUST

Objectie of the Programme:

To create awareness on Mental Health among Girls and Boys and Men and Women in Parvatipuram Manyam and Vizianagaram districts through our NEED organisation.
At Mpower - The Centre, we provide holistic mental health care solutions to children, adolescents, young people, and adults.

MYTHS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS

• Psychiatric illness is a sign of weakness No, there are not. Psychiatric disorders have neurobiological underpinnings and need to be treated accordingly.
• Psychiatric illness means ‘Madness’ Not all psychiatric disorders are ‘madness’. Only 1% of psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders) have symptoms of ‘madness’ or psychotic symptoms. Rest is not.
• Mental health problems are permanent. You need to take medicines lifelong. No. Not all psychiatric disorders are lifelong. Each individual’s experience with mental illness is different. The course of various psychiatric disorders can differ but many people recover to a variable degree.
• Psychiatric medications are addictive No, they are not. These medicines need to be taken as per doctor’s advice. On sudden stoppage, some people may experience discontinuation symptoms. Therefore, the dose of these medicines needs to be tapered.
• People with mental disorders are kept in asylums No. Most of the psychiatric disorders can be treated at home. Only few people with chronic psychiatric disorders with poor social support and homeless mentally ill people are kept / treated in asylums.
• Addiction implies lack of willpower No, it does not. As with other psychiatric disorders, addiction has a neurobiological basis.
• All people with mental illnesses are violent. This is a common myth often perpetuated by erroneous portrayals in media and literature. In reality only a small percentage of people with certain psychiatric disorders become violent and unpredictable. Also, there are evidences to suggest that, ‘normal’ people are more violent compared to persons with psychiatric disorders.
• Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) or Shock Therapy is bad ECT is not bad. When given under anaesthesia (i.e. modified ECT) it works wonder for certain severe mental health conditions. However, because of wrong portrayal by media and in movies, general people developed this idea.

CHALLENGES FACED BY A STUDENT

Adjusting to a new environment, particularly if staying in a hostel or mess or paying guest accommodation
• Burden of study
• Burden of frequent assessment, examinations
• Ragging by seniors
• Peer group rejection
• Rejection by member of opposite sex
• Breakup in a romantic relationship
• Pre-existing psychiatric disorders or personality issues
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Family difficulties e.g. ailing parent(s), poor financial condition of the family to support higher
education, broken family, recent deaths
• Difficulty is speaking and communicating in English language which is the medium of education
• Failure in examinations
• Scolding by teachers

COMMON PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

1.Depression

‘I often feel sad and low for minor reasons. Does this mean I am suffering from depression?’ Depression is a common psychiatric illness characterized by persistent and pervasive low mood, reduced interest in previously pleasurable activities, decreased energy, decreased self-confidence, decreased concentration, pessimism, ideas of guilt and worthlessness, impaired sleep and in severe cases, suicidal ideas or acts. These above-mentioned symptoms should persist for most of the time of most of the days for at least 2 weeks. Various psychosocial and environmental stressors play a major role. Prompt identification of the signs and symptoms and early intervention can treat such episodes effectively. Medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both can be used to treat depression.

2. Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by fluctuations in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. There may be alternating episodes of depression and manic/ hypomanic episodes. Manic episodes are characterised by elated mood, increased energy, goal directed overactivity, over-religiosity, pressure of speech, buying spree, engagement in high-risk behaviours, increased libido, decreased need for sleep. Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed during late adolescence or early adulthood. Although the course of illness may vary over time, bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment. Bipolar disorder can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including their relationships, family and work life.

3. Schizophrenia/ Psychosis Schizophrenia

are serious mental disorders which causes significant disability. The diagnosis is associated with stigma and persons suffering from it often face discrimination. People with schizophrenia have an impaired perception of reality. Delusions, hallucinations, disorganization of thought and behaviour, difficulties with memory, attention and problem-solving abilities are often co existent. Treatment involves medication, psychoeducation, family interventions, and psychosocial rehabilitation. In most of the cases, lifelong medication is required. Awareness among medical students and an empathetic approach is necessary to deal with the widespread stigma and discrimination.

4. Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a normal experience. However, constant worrying, apprehension, inability to relax, overwhelming anxiety in particular situations can be indicative of pathological anxiety or an anxiety disorder. Students may have pre-existing anxious trait and with exposure to stress they can be manifested. Many students use alcohol or other substances to combat anxiety which is not only unhealthy but also compounds the problem. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions (repeated, intrusive, unwanted, distressing thoughts, images and impulses) and compulsions (repetitive acts that are performed to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession).

5. Substance misuse

Substance misuse has become rampant in the student population. Students usually abuse substances like nicotine, alcohol, cannabis as coping methods with stress. Often, they are initiated into substance use by peers which eventually leads to substance dependence. All major substances abused have lifelong psychological and physical impacts. Substance abuse can also increase impulsivity and risk-taking behaviours like unprotected sex, dangerous driving, legal problems. Identifying harmful or dependence pattern of substance use is pertinent as they require treatment. Excessive use of the substance, craving for it, desire to take the substance, gradually increasing the dose of substance abused, facing physical and psychological problems once the substance is stopped and neglecting other life pleasures encompasses some of the common presentations.

6. Ragging/Bullying Ragging

bullying (both in person and cyberbullying) can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety and depression. If you face this issue, contact the college authorities for assistance. Do not react to the bully or be aggressive. Know that it is not your fault.

7. Self-harm

Sometimes self-harming behaviours are used as a coping mechanism. By hurting themselves, people seek relief from emotional pain or overwhelming situations and experiences. Self-harming or self-injurious behaviours include- wrist slashing, burning, hitting, head- banging etc. It is often a ‘cry’ for help. If you or someone you know is self-harming, contact mental healthcare professional immediately.

STRESS MANAGEMENT MODULE

Introduction Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stressors of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Stress feels uncomfortable, but not every uncomfortable feeling is stress. Stress has been dubbed the “Health Epidemic of the 21st Century” by the World Health Organization. People use the word “Stress” interchangeable with other terms such as worry, anxiety and fear, but stress is, at its heart, our conviction that we won’t be able to cope with the challenges we’re facing. Stress affects the whole person, i.e., in all the human dimensions (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual). The perception of stress and the responses to it are highly individualized, not only from person to person but also from one time to another in the same person. Broadly, the stress is classified into two: Eustress - good stress, is stress that benefits our health, like physical exercise or getting a promotion. Distress - stress that harms our health and often results from imbalances between demands made upon us and our resources for dealing with these demands. The latter is what most people think about when they talk about stress. However, if handled well stress can increase motivation and stimulate us. Stressors Stressor can be any stimulus that causes an individual to experience stress. Three major categories of stressors are: • Catastrophic events • Important life events (personal stressors)