Seven-session initiative on Oct 17 to focus on stigma, peer support and access to help; scholarship guidance desk also planned
LEH: The Ladakh administration will hold a seven-session awareness and outreach programme in New Delhi on October 17 to help students from the Union Territory recognise substance use disorders, address mental health concerns and access support services, with a focus on reducing stigma and encouraging early help-seeking.
Organised by the Department of Social and Tribal Welfare under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), the programme, titled ‘Understanding Substance Use Disorder, Caring for Mental Health and Seeking Support’, will be held at the Patel Chest Institute, North Campus, University of Delhi, from 1 pm to 6 pm.
The initiative is being organised in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Medical Education and School Education, Ladakh Police, Ladakh Student Welfare Society, Delhi (LSWSD), and the All Kargil Student Association, Delhi (AKSAD).
The programme seeks to provide students with a platform to discuss substance use and mental well-being, recognise signs of distress, understand how to support peers and learn about available assistance without fear of social stigma.
Its seven sessions will combine short-film screenings, interactive discussions, scenario-based activities, case studies and small-group engagement. The sessions are designed to help participants distinguish myths from facts about substance use disorders, identify mental health concerns and understand when and where to seek help for themselves or others.
The opening session will feature short-film screenings followed by discussions led by Jigmet Stanzin of Pixel Challenger and Iftikhar Hussain of Planet Ladakh.
The Department of Health and Medical Education will conduct a session on mental health in the context of substance use disorders, incorporating a myth-and-fact activity and discussions on recognising signs of distress and responding supportively.
Ladakh Police will lead a session on young people and substance use, focusing on moving beyond stigma. An anonymous question box and hypothetical “What Would You Do?” scenarios will allow participants to raise concerns and discuss sensitive issues in a more open setting.
The Department of School Education will lead a session on emotional learning and everyday life skills, covering stress awareness, identifying emotions and constructive ways of responding to one’s own and others’ emotional needs.
Another session by the Department of Health and Medical Education will focus on moving from concern to care through case studies and information on referral pathways. The programme will also feature a youth open circle facilitated by the District De-addiction Centre (DDAC), where participants will discuss barriers to seeking help, social stigma, peer support and gaps in available services.
The discussions are expected to inform recommendations emerging from the workshop. The programme will conclude with a reflection and commitment exercise, allowing participants to identify what they have learnt, the changes they intend to make and the additional support they believe is needed.
Alongside the awareness sessions, a help desk will provide information and guidance on scholarship schemes, linking the outreach initiative with educational support available to students from Ladakh.
The programme brings together departments responsible for social welfare, healthcare, education and law enforcement, along with student organisations representing Ladakhi communities in Delhi.
Through anonymous questioning, peer discussions and interactive activities, the administration aims to encourage early help-seeking, strengthen peer support and promote a more informed and empathetic response to substance use and mental health concerns among young people.
