AFMC HOSTS 13TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF INDIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune is hosting the 13th Biennial conference of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health from 19th November to 21st November 2015 . The association is celebrating its Silver Jubilee in 2015.The theme for the conference is ‘Psychosocial adversities and lost childhood’. Guest of honour will be Smt Sumitra Bhave.
Maj Gen A K Das, Dean and Officiating Commandant, AFMC brought out that World Health Organisation has placed special emphasis on the psychosocial aspects of mental health of children and adolescents. There is a need to invest special attention to the mental development of children, who are the future of mankind.
Brig R C Das, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, AFMC said that the Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health was started to promote the health of children and adolescents. The comprehensive health of a child includes not only physical but also emotional and social well being.
Approximately 10 to 20% children have mental health problems and need intervention. In India, about 40% of the population is under 18 years of age.
While the majority of mental health professionals are concentrated in metropolitan areas, 73% of children, who need psychiatric intervention, live in rural areas.
The conference will discuss child abuse with emphasis on psychosocial factors, child sexual abuse, substance abuse, emotional neglect including parenting and genetics. Speakers include faculty of NIMHANS, AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh. There will be a panel discussion on ‘Bridging the Gap – Psychosocial adversity & children, intervention & challenges’. Other initiatives that will be discussed include ‘Dhyan Devi Childline – child sexual abuse helpline, PACE (Prevent Addictions through Children’s Education) and Connecting (Suicide helpline). Delegates from all over the country are participating in the event.
