Provide good family environment to growing children, parents urged

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 10

Doctors of the Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGI, observed World Mental Health Day at Anganwadi Centre in Sector 38 here today.

Dr Jenefa Persis highlighted the significance of mental health and increasing prevalence of mental illness. As per the national mental health survey - 2017, prevalence of mental illness is 10.6 per cent. Out of this, depression, which is one of the most common mental illnesses, comprises 2.5 per cent.

Common mental illnesses and factors contributing to mental illnesses among children, adolescents and elderly were discussed. Parents were advised to provide good family environment to their growing children because quarrelling and broken relationships between husband and wife would cause a huge impact on the mental health of a growing child. Parents were advised to encourage every good activities of their child and not to compare their child with other kids.

“It is must that parents devote adequate time to their problems and understand their lifestyle. Children should have a free environment and feel free to discuss issues of their mental health, which is a big stigma in society,” said doctors.

Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Dr Kathirvel S, senior resident Dr Har Ashish Jindal, junior resident Dr Jenefa Persis and multipurpose health worker Rupinder organised a community-level awareness programme about mental health among 40 women with the theme “young people and mental health in a changing world”.