There is a growing public health crisis as increasing numbers of children and adolescents are facing the challenges associated with mental disorders. It is estimated that one in four children, either currently or at some point during their lifetime, will experience a mental disorder and in fact, half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 years.Along with COVID-19 and other social and political crises, it appears that the prevalence of these mental disorders in children and adolescents is growing. At the same time, the desperate shortage in mental health service providers leads to a situation in which children and adolescents do not receive care they need. The need for child and adolescent psychiatrists is especially critical in the context of modern adversities and inequities that profoundly affect youths’ mental health.
Recently during a CME on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry organized by the Department of Neuropsychiatry at the Institute of Neurosciences-Kolkata, experts stressed on the importance addressing the mental health of child and adolescents especially during the pandemic as well as the far-reaching consequences.
The seminar witnessed both National and International Speakers discussing on developmental and emotional aspects of Children and Adolescents.
The CME was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister Dr. Shashi Panja, Minster for Women & Child Development & Social Welfare of West Bengal. She also unravelled the plaque for our new clinic on Eating Disorders.
Withthe growing emphasis on Thin-Ideal media image, many adolescents want to meet the unrealistic expectations to feel socially validated. This in turn leads to starving themselves, binge eating which can affect their health detrimentally leading to hospitalization sometimes.With the increasing impact of westernisation of society, eating disorders merit renewed focus. Keeping this in focus, INK Kolkata will be starting an multidisciplinary eating disorder clinic to help these adolescents.
Eminent stalwarts both International and National from the field of Psychiatry and Psychology shared with us their valuable knowledge. Among them,Prof. Dr. Valsmamma Eapen, Chair, Infant and child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney attended the CME and spoke about Autism: importance of early intervention and pharmacological treatment. The program was also attended by eminent Psychiatrists of the city.
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences is a Multidisciplinary Neuropsychiatric Unit staffed with Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, marital Counsellors who are highly experienced and trained from premium institutions in India like CMC Vellore, NIMHANS etc. The department provides Child, adolescent, adult and geriatric psychiatric and psychological services (assessments and interventions regarding developmental, emotional and behavioural concerns, marital discord, work-related stress, family conflicts, substance dependence, various psychological and neurological disorders etc.)
