*Nikunj Soni* * * *January 6, 2011* *AHMEDABAD* - Do you have a child who's suffering from behavorial problems due to academic stress? Has your kid been adversely affected by a turbulent divorce you've been through with your spouse? Here's some heartening news - you can now have your child treated by government psychiatrists.
The city-based Hospital for Mental Health (HMH) is launching a special unit dedicated to child psychology, where psychiatrists will treat child patients for various problems pertaining to mental health. The special unit, consisting of experts and counsellors, will be inaugurated on January 6. "Children often suffer on account of frequent quarrels with siblings, hyperactivity, and anxiety caused by academic pressures. We wish to reduce the number of psychological problems they face, by counselling them (the children) as well as the parents," said Dr Ajay Chauhan, superintendent of the hospital. HMH is looking forward to collaborating with NGOs working in the health sector in the UK. "We have conveyed a message to the UK authorities regarding the funds that the institute requires, and about the latest equipment needed for treatment," said Dr Chauhan, who visited Sensory Integration Units (SIU), meant for children in the UK, some years back. These SIUs specialise in treating kids with behavioural problems. "We will organise awareness programmes in various schools, where teachers, children and parents will be educated on child psychology. Last year, we counselled 350 children and this year too, 60 children have enrolled themselves for treatment," added the superintendent of HMH. The newly-built unit has a clinical team that consists of one consultant psychiatrist, two senior doctors, two clinical psychologists, two social workers (psychiatry), and 12 nurses. The team will provide services such as psychological evaluation assessment, counselling, parental psycho-education, individual psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions. Parents will have to remain present with their children during treatment. According to HMH's report (compiled through survey), 7%- 30% percent of children under the age of 12 need either evaluation or continuing psychiatric care. Many children have mental health problems, which slow down their body- growth, development and functioning. One in ten children and adolescents suffers from mental illness severe enough to cause some level of physical impairment. However, in any given year, it is estimated that less than one in five kids (requiring help) get the needed treatment. In India, though children constitute nearly 40% of the population, related studies have mentioned separation, hospitalisation, bereavement, loss of a parent through divorce, birth of a sibling, physical illness and injury, scolding, exam stress, failure and quarrels with close ones, among others, as some of the reasons leading to psychiatric disorders. http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_help-at-hand-to-deal-with-troubled-kids-in-ahmedabad_1491042 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
