Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 3: With a rise in the number of children suffering mental health issues, authorities at Sri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) started a child guidance and wellbeing clinic on Wednesday.
A doctor of the hospital said that child psychology and counseling services were started in SMGS Hospital Jammu by the team (comprising Faculty of Department of Psychiatric Diseases, Child Psychologist, Social Counselor, Special Educator) led by Dr. Mannu Arora, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatric Diseases, GMC, Jammu.
He said that the aim behind the move is to help children suffering from emotional, social or psychological disorder.
Principal Government Medical College, Jammu, Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma after inaugurating the clinic appreciated the coordinated efforts of Department of Psychiatric and Department of Pediatrics for starting a special clinic in the Hospital.
She said that the clinic will help the children suffering from mental health issues, attention deficit, hyperactive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and learning disability.
Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatric Diseases, Dr Manu Arora said that their team is running the Child Guidance and Well Being Clinic in Psychiatric Diseases Hospital Jammu under UNICEF program and under the guidance and support of Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu and in coordination with HoD Pediatrics, Coordinator DEIC and Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, Jammu.
“We have started this clinic on OPD basis in SMGS Hospital which will cover more children requiring attention and care regarding their mental health issues,” Dr Arora said.
He conveyed that the clinic will function every Wednesday on a weekly basis from 12 to 2 pm and the team will work with the parents in counseling sessions. They will be helped to understand their child’s behavior and sort out mental health issues.
Head of Department of Pediatrics, Dr Ghanshyam Saini said that many children suffering with mental health issues will be benefited in the clinic.
He mentioned that a number of children especially adolescents are not able to share a problem with family members due to fear, hesitation/guilt or shame, whereas, finds it easy to share their problem with a Child Counsellor.
He said that if such children are left untreated, it can affect their educational profile and deviation in a very adverse manner and parents have to play their role as well.
