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New Delhi, October 12, 2022:
Identification of mental health issues among children, that can be treated with medical interventions often get delayed due to lack of awareness, said experts during a virtual briefing conducted by SOS Children’s Villages India ahead of World Mental Health Day.
The WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 population while as per the National Health Survey 2016, 6-7% of the population suffers from mental disorders. In order to help children, achieve their full potential, ensuring, sustaining and enhancing mental wellbeing is vital.
Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, President and Mentor of Manovikas E-Gyanshala; Former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS); Former Faculty Member, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore and AIIMS; Sumanta Kar, Secretary General, SOS Children’s Villages India, and Ms. Reena Chhatriya, SOS Mother, took part in the discussion.
While addressing the gravity of mental health issues in India, Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, said: “It is not only vital to sensitise children, caregivers, and family members about mental health, but it is also important to sensitise peers about the gravity of this subject and how they could possibly support someone struggling with the issue, in various ways. Support of family and peers is vital.”
Talking about the early identification of symptoms, Dr. Desai added, “Withdrawal, anger issues, drastic change in eating or sleeping habits and such require attention, addressal and support. Direct expression or indirect evidence of negative thoughts, pessimism and hopelessness must be seen as a red alert.
A decade ago, our supposition that children don’t have suicidal tendencies has been proven wrong. Unfortunately, children do suffer from depression, either because of their genetic make-up or because of circumstances, trauma et cetera. Adolescence is a sensitive age, where children go through extreme emotional turmoil, besides physical and mental changes. The general resilience of human beings is more at a young age, and so as a population sub-group they fare well, despite apparent and significant distress; this helps in getting through with minimal to moderate support, while some young people may need specialised professional attention.”
SOS Mother Reena Chhatriya said, “I have been associated with SOS Children’s Villages India for over 8 years and have brought-up 10 children so far. Children hail from different backgrounds and have different histories, so each child has to be approached differently. For this, multi-dimensional support is availed from a wide variety of experts.
I remember the pandemic, when the situation was especially tough, as we were all confined; anxiety and stress levels because of uncertainness and fear were high. We tried to tide over these times by cooking exquisite meals with the help of recipes available on the internet, meditation, yoga, dance, creative indoor games, and other group activities. Besides, it is important to observe, be aware and keep communication channels open.”
It was further concluded in the session that increased interest in mental health issues has been credited the acceptance of the same in society. With people becoming aware, help is sought early enough for interventions to work out well.
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