SCARF conducts dissemination meeting on Juveniles Accessing Mental Health Services

At a dissemination meeting on the project Juveniles Accessing Mental Health Services (JAMS) implemented by the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), a panel including Sheela Jayanthi, Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee , Chennai (South Zone); P Chitra, Program Manager of SIAAP’ Valavan, Associate Director of Miracle Foundation India; and Sheela Grace of Nalandaway Foundation, spoke about the challenges affecting the mental health of children at various levels. The session also focused on stigma, the role of families and Child Care Institutions (CCIs), and the collective responsibility of society.

According to SCARF Chennai, the project improves access to quality, child-centred mental health care for children and adolescents living in CCIs in Tamil Nadu and Odisha. “The JAMS project has three components such as mental health literacy for the staff members, administrators and children; youth-friendly spaces created within CCIs where young people can sit together and learn lifeskills 0 supervision; and mental health screening,” adds Shiva Prakash S., JAMS Project Co-lead.

Dr Jayanthi spoke about the loss and grief experienced by children brought up in CCIs, which often continues even into adulthood, and how professionals could address the emotional vacuum faced by these children. She also spoke about the role of families, institutions, and the importance of empowering institutions themselves.

S Ramalingam – Member, Juvenile Justice Board, said that mental health must be recognised and spoken about as a child’s right. Guest of Honour Andrew Sesuraj, Member, Tamil Nadu Empowered Committee on Children Welfare and Special Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, Padmavati R, Director, SCARF also spoke.