WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY BY AIRF & AFFILIATES
As a part of the Well Being Project adopted by All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF), India. The Northern Railway Men's Federation (NRMU) Delhi Division observed World Mental Health Day on 10th Oct 2023 at 12 Chelmsford Road, NRMU Union Office under the guidance of Com Shiva Gopal Mishra, GS/AIRF, Com Praveena Singh National Women's Coordinator, AIRF/NRMU, Com Anoop Sharma, DS/NRMU and attended by Com Rajendra Bharadwaj, Com Pawan Kumari, Com Ratan Lal, Com Poonam Dabas on special invitation Dr. Shyam Sunder, Dr. Praveen and about 100 workers of Delhi division. Com Divya Sharma started with introduction of well-being project of AIRF/ITF and importance of this in the life of transport workers. She requested the participants to share their experiences and for discussion of current challenges the Railway workers are facing and its impact on their social and personal life. She also introduced the first responders of Delhi Division to the Participants and discussed role of First responder in Well Being Programme.
Com Navdeep Loco Pilot/Faridabad stated that capability of handling stress in every person is different. He also shared a recent incident with his colleague that the overload in work had effected his official and personal life. He also suggested that we should collect the data of loco pilots facing same issues and do some counselling with the help of helpline or with the first responders.
Com Vicky First responder of Delhi division also shared his experience in the project and training programme he had with the help of AIRF/ITF and stated that mental peace is co-related with work pressure and environment. On the on-going New Pension Policy is also an insecurity for the future of new recruits in Indian Railways, further shortage of man power also causes extra pressure on workers.
Com Poonam Dabas First responder of Delhi Division talked about being a union activist who is also doing social work and with the help of this program. We are working on mental health of our co-workers as well. For healthy mind we need healthy environment and creating that environment is the basic need where we can start. Whenever someone comes to share their problem with us, we need to maintain the confidentiality and give them the open space so that they can share whatever they are going through.
Com Anoop Sharma in discussed in detail about the idea of starting this programme for Indian Railway workers. Covid 19 left a mark in everyone’s life but specially on the transport workers because they were working 24x7 when whole world was facing lockdown. Railway workers had faced many difficulties while working as well as on personnel level. That impacted their health in many ways. This programme was a savior for them at that time. After taking this initiative by union the administration also understood the need and also started taking initiatives in this regard. Union's moto is very clear that "if we can save even a single life through the helpline number it will be of great help".
Dr. Praveen appreciated the effort of AIRF/NRMU for observing World Mental Health Day as this was his first seminar of this kind. In day-to-day life we do care for our physical injuries but never give importance to our disturbed mind. In normal life people hesitate to talk about it but we should spread the awareness about this. If you see any behavioral changes in your proximity please take it seriously and try to find out the reason or if it’s your colleagues, talk to him or his/her family members about the changes. Relationships are important in life we need to maintain them and connect with them, they are our support system. Self-care is very important so at least give one hour to yourself to spend time on activities that we like to do.
Dr Shyam Sunder, Chief Medical Director also talked about importance of health in today’s stressful life. Realizing and relieving stress in day-to-day life is important and maintaining healthy life style which includes meditation, exercise, walking and healthy eating being mandatory. He showed his concern about loco pilot of Indian Railway and the stress they undergo at workplace, and one has to take extra care of them personally, professionally and socially. Sometimes people don’t share their problem and shy away. He also talked about what is anxiety, stages of anxiety, difference between anxiety and depression, what is psychosis, symptoms of psychosis, how dangerous it can be for a person.
Com Praveena Singh spoke on how the project started in 2019 and we as the first trade union in India started this initiative for our transport workers and due to COVID-19 we realized the importance of this in 2 years of pandemic situation when most of the Railway employees were away from their families. When we announced this project every union member was eager to participate and had shown extra efforts to help in the noble cause. She also spoke about the stress and how sharing thoughts with your loved ones can help them to come out from a stressful situation. We know the number of suicide cases are high in Railway sector and to prevent this and to counsel the depressed person we started this helpline.
A case study was also shared duely maintaining the confidentiality.
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