Short films on mental health screened at Birla museum

Short films on mental health and daily challenges were screened at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum as a part of the four-day mental health festival organised by Turning Point. 

Turning Point has been working in close cooperation with USIS, Bhutan and UNESCO to look after mentally challenged people.

A drama festival will also take place at BITM on Friday. The plays will be presented by the specially-abled people. 

Mental illness being an invisible disorder is often overlooked and they become victims of humiliation, ridicule and neglect.

Based on the theme ‘Ami Tomaderi Ekjon’ where many specially abled people will read their script based on the theme with an effort to come back to the mainstream of life with respect and human right. 

Atri Bhattacharya, principal secretary, Information and Cultural Affairs and theatre personality Bibhas Chakraborty will be the chief guests.

On January 27, the festival opened with a poster competition by school children followed by mental health quiz. 

Music and recitation competition by the specially-abled people was an added attraction. 

The US Consul General Craig Hall and his wife Meeryung Hall were present at the inaugural programme. A seminar on the employability and entrepreneurship will be held on the concluding day. 

Ishita Sanyal, founder director of Turning Point, said people should respect specially-abled people. 

It may be recalled that after cancer and diabetes, mental health related problem is now third in the list of disorder in India in the next 10 years.