24 Jul, 2017 *Lisa Monteiro*
*Panaji: *The state commission for protection of child rights is framing a mental health policy specifically for children and adolescents, considering the unique challenges they face in a tourist state. Problems related to tobacco consumption, alcoholism, sexual abuse and suicide prevention and how these can be tackled are being addressed in the policy. Guidelines for parents to diagnose mental health issues in children are also being drawn up. The policy will also look at the mental health concerns of children and adolescents in state-run homes and prisons. "It will also focus on the mental health of children with physical disabilities, psychosocial disorders and under institutionalized care," said Sushma Kirtani, chairperson of the commission. Senior psychiatrists from district hospitals, those working in de-addiction centres, doctors from the Institute of Psychiatry & Human Behaviour (IPHB), counselors and members of the commission are all using their experience to share suggestions to draw up a full-fledged policy. The state's victim assistance unit (VAU) set up to reach out to children who have been abused, is providing inputs for the chapter dealing with child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. The VAU, in its report to the government, had stated that there were 707 cases of child abuse between April 2014 and March 2017 of which 183 were instances of sexual abuse, incidences of which were high among teenagers. Other cases included physical abuse, verbal abuse, kidnapping, suicide, begging, murder, trafficking, child labour, rescue, accidents, abandonment, drug abuse, child marriage and missing persons. The stakeholders have already held two meetings and are expected to meet again in September by which time they hope to have the draft policy ready. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/mental-health-policy-for-children-being-framed/articleshow/59727516.cms -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. ------------- 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 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/MhaNewsViewsIndia/CAN7%2BzvoVdVAudqJotonON1Liqs4tmuOkWSOesUm%3DZg4Z%3DzhuUw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
