In today’s digital age, children and adolescents encounter distinct challenges, including smartphone addiction, declining academic performance, difficulty concentrating, competitive stress, aggressive outbursts, bullying, and emotional issues. As a result, the incidence of related disorders is increasing. Neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, ASD, and learning difficulties, along with behavioral issues like anger outbursts and bullying, are becoming more prevalent, posing significant challenges for educators and school professionals.
A one-day Workshop on Mental Health in Schools concluded on 19th July at the Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (IN-K). The idea was to sensitize school professionals regarding various mental health issues, especially ADHD, learning disorders and emotional problems in children and provide them with the basic idea about identifying them. There was also an open house discussion about managing challenging behaviours in children – what is done and what should be done.
Eminent speakers from the field of Psychiatry like Prof. Dr. Satya Raj, HOD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, CMC, Vellore spoke on Understanding Neuro-Developmental disorders in Children & Adolescents (ADHD & Learning Disabilities), while Prof. Dr. Raman Krishnan, Consultant Psychiatrist, Apollo, Chennai threw light on Identifying Emotional Problems in Children & Adolescents (Childhood Depression and Anxiety disorders). Dr. Praveen Kumar, HOD, Department of Neuropsychiatry, INK spoke on Management of Bullying in Children & Adolescents: School based intervention.
Reflecting on the successful completion of the workshop, participants expressed gratitude for the valuable insights and practical tools gained.
