Ready to counsel

Ranchi, July 2: Youths in city schools are getting addicted to inhalants and with no mental health programmes in place, there is no stopping them.

Most young addicts are between the age group of 13 and 16 years. This month around 15 cases of substance use and inhalants were received at the child psychiatry ward of the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP).

Students are found inhaling petrol, diesel, kerosene, whitener and fevicol. Besides, cough syrups and brown sugar are also used.

S. Haque Nizamie, the director of the Central Institute of Psychiatry, said the use of inhalants among children is increasing at an alarming rate.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg, as a huge population, mostly comprising students, remains unidentified. It’s very difficult to give an exact figure, but the fact cannot be denied that the school children need counselling,” Nizamie stressed.

The director said, one of the children’s wards that has 50 beds, is always occupied by school students for treatment. Students also visit the OPD for treatment.

Nizamie pointed out that students mostly use inhalants in schools. “Even parents and schoolteachers are unaware of it. As a result, the mental health of students deteriorates. They need counselling at an early stage itself,” Nizamie warned.

He rued that they have failed to organise mental health programme in city schools.

“The school administration does not agree upon conducting such programmes as they feel it would create a negative impact on students. But in one of the reputed schools of Hazaribagh, we organise mental health programmes regularly and both students and teachers have appreciated it,” the director said.

However, Nizamie said, since cases of inhalants and other substances used are increasing day by day.

They are in the process to build a new OPD block for children.

“It would be biggest department in the country,” the director claimed.

Besides, to encourage schools and to conduct mental health programmes on a regular basis, the director said: “We would organise a programme in August and hold discussions on mental problems concerning children and also invite teachers to identify nearest health centres where students could avail of counselling,” Nizamie said.