Kozhikode: District Resource Centre to give mental support to children
Kozhikode: The government is introducing new projects under the social justice department to provide modern treatment amenities to the children of middle and lower strata of the society.
A district resource centre (DRC) is all set to start functioning in Pathanamthitta district providing treatment for children having psychological problems, learning disability, conduct disorder, development disorder, etc., as part of it.
The DRC will have the services of a psychologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, pediatrician and other experts on rotation. “The centre is the first to be functional in the state," district child protection officer (DCPO) A.O. Abeen said.
“The department has sanctioned Rs 80,000 for the maintenance of the building. It will come up at the Community Health Centre compound at Elanthoor with the green signal of Elanthoor block panchayat and the health department.” The centre will provide support to sexually abused children, and those falling into addiction.
“In government schools, there is nothing more than a counsellor. Many issues are out of their reach, and they need expert treatment. In the district alone, there are 600 schools but only 25 counsellors,” he said. Kozhikode Child Welfare Committee (CWC) member K. Rajan said others should follow suit.
“The centres can detect such students from the grassroots level and refer to other top institutions. Timely detection and proper intervention will make a sea change,” he said. Video conferencing facility being set up will enable students and parents interact with experts.
