Self-harm on rise in Chennai juvenile homes

Chennai: Along with the increase in attempts to run away, inmates at the special and observation across the city, including children, increasingly are inflicting self-harm upon themselves, according to sources in the department of social defence.

“The number of runaway attempts and cases have increased, and inmates are constantly causing self-harm using blades, safety pins, hair pins and broken glass from windows,” said an official working in tandem with the department. “It is happening not only in special homes but also in children’s homes.”

The counsellor along with the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) handles such situations and these cases are not registered, the official said.

Increasing efforts are being taken to improve the psychological conditioning and engaging the children in activities to keep them engaged, the official said.

Several inmates are those with alcohol and substance addiction. “Withdrawal from the addiction is a serious problem, and they just can’t do without it. Most of the children who come to these homes are those from problem homes and broken families, having already faced hardships and daunting situations. The care given by superintendents at these homes shapes how the children cope with life at the home and well they recover at these homes instead of languishing there,” the official said adding that such incidents stressed on the need for proper psychological counselling and de-addiction centres.

“Self-harm is largely happening due to the frustration of not being able to leave the premises when they adamantly want to,” admitted a district child protection officer, when Deccan Chronicle  contacted him.

Types of homes

• Observation Homes: for the temporary housing of juveniles in conflict with the law whose cases are pending before the Juvenile Justice Boards.
• Special Homes: for long-term rehabilitation of juveniles in conflict with the law who have sentenced by the Juvenile Justice Boards.
• Children Homes: for tending to children in need of care and protection and are provided care, education, development and rehabilitation