Mohd M Rahman
North-East Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh
Title: Why we need to prioritize children mental health services?
Biography
Biography: Mohd M Rahman
Abstract
Today’s children will drive growth and development in the society tomorrow. Helping these children reach their potential will benefit not only to them, but also all of us. However, mental health problems appearing in childhood or in adolescence, after 13% to 22% of children and adolescents Worldwide and account for a larger portion of global burden of disease. Positive social mental health is associated with a higher likelihood of completing school, positive relations, higher level of self-confidence, higher income potential and increased resilience. Developing countries continue to lag behind in prioritizing and providing children mental health services, despite urgent need. Such services development and delivery is hampered by a lack of government policy, inadequate funding and shortage of trained clinicians. This Presentation will acknowledge significant gap in children’s mental health services in developing countries and will highlight why we need to prioritize them badly. Mental health and welfare strategy will be discussed about how to create a mentally healthy learning environment, reduce stigma, and adopt anti-harassment, anti-bullying policy. Investing in early childhood development programs, mental health provisions in school, and linking with mental health agencies in the community would facilitate good mental health and the wellbeing of children. Improved mental health research and knowledge sharing across the country, and strengthening children’s mental health human resources would be a priority. Collectively, we pay a heavy price when mental disorders are not effectively prevented and treated in childhood. Early intervention and prevention offers the hope to avoid later adult mental health problems and improve personal wellbeing and productivity and investing in children from onset yields excellent returns.