Addressing Childhood Disorder- Need of the hour!

The children who have healthy minds show a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities. According to WHO (world health organization) reports worldwide, 10% of children and adolescents experience a mental disorder, but the majority of them do not seek help or receive care. The data of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) shows that the total number of crimes committed by juveniles of Kerala in 2020 was 331.

The negligence toward childhood mental wellbeing leads to heinous crimes in adulthood; for instance recently in Kerala there are three incidents occurred among college students. A boy shot his ex – girlfriend who was a dental college student at Kothamangalam, another college girl stabbed to death in Kottayam by 21 years old class mate and a 19 year old girl who was set fire by 20 year old boy. These incidents point out rejection in relationship ends with life threatening revenge. The physical effects of crimes committed by adolescents receive the lion's share of media attention but, we cannot rely on permanent solution, by organizing a panel discussion, Seminars and debates. The childhood disorders should be screened and treated by a multi-disciplinary team which includes doctors, psychologist, social workers and occupational therapist.

As per the CBSE (Central Board for Secondary Education) norms every schools must have a counsellor, but they are packed by the uneven student counsellor ratio. According to WHO the counsellor students’ ratio must be 1:250. This is the place where the significance of multi-disciplinary team arise. Appropriate interventions in a timely manner bring out visible changes.