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No one is smiling on the streets of Dhaka'

Experts discuss mental health issues of children

Staff Correspondent
Children today are not being given an alternative to internet and mobile phones as a means of recreation, which is deteriorating their mental health, speakers at a discussion said yesterday.
Besides, understanding the mind of children is very important, where careful parenting and schooling can play the most important role, they also said.
“What alternatives to internet or mobile phones are we presenting before our children? On the contrary, PSC, JSC (or pressure for GPA] is destroying the spontaneity of our children," said Kamal Chowdhury, associate professor of Dhaka University's department of clinical psychology, while speaking at the discussion marking World Mental health Day.
The counselling unit of BRAC University organised the discussion on its campus, titled "Promoting mental health of young adults: Role of Mental Health Professionals and Academic Institutions".
Nobody on the streets [of Dhaka] is seen with a smiling face; everybody seems angry and is in a rat race with each other, Kamal Chowdhury added.
Moderated by Dr Mehtab Khanam, psychologist and adviser to the counselling unit of Brae University, a number of psychologists and academicians participated in the session.
Some 53 percent parents cannot understand their children, while eight percent children have no friends, Helal Uddin Ahmed, associate professor of National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, said, referring to a 2017 WHO study on 11 countries.
"These tremendous factors have created an abnormal situation, the solution to which needs a collaboration between schooling and parenting," he added.
Dr Mehtab Khanam said, "We are expressing condolence, [and] sympathy to the incidents like Abrar [killing]. But there is not enough thought on what should be done to overcome it."
Prof Afsan Chowdhury of BracU spoke of current situation of sexual abuse and other mental problems in the country, compared to the 1990s: "Situation of sexual abuse to children has remained the same as it was in 1998. Almost half of the abused are male."
"Brae University regularly arranges views-exchange meetings with guardians, to take care of mental health of the students. Other institutions, especially schools, can think of such activities," said Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, head of the counselling unit of the university.
Huraera Jabeen, associate professor of BracU; Salim Hossain, assistant professor of DU; Roufun Nahar of educational and counselling psychology at DU; and psychiatrist Dr Ashique Selim also spoke.