NEW DELHI: The poor mental health of many inmates of child rehabilitation institutions in Delhi has always been known. But it is only now that there are actual figures to show the extent of a brewing crisis as the children grow older. The data has been collated by the psychiatry department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, based on its assessment of 414 children living in 19 children’s homes and observation homes run by the government and NGOs in the capital.
Published last week by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the data shows that almost one of every five inmates in such institutions suffers from behavioural problems. This makes them highly susceptible to substance abuse or criminal activities when they reach adulthood. Almost 2% of them also suffer from psychiatric disorders.
The situation in observation homes, which house juveniles accused of criminal activities, is worse. Here, the AIIMS doctors reported that 74% of the inmates have behavioural problems and 2% suffer from some sort of psychiatric disorder.
Dr Rajesh Sagar, who led the investigation, told TOI that children suffering from behavioural problems require medical attention and counselling. “If left on their own, they can develop conduct problems and will be prone to substance abuse and criminal activities when they grow up,” Sagar said.
The report, a copy of which is with TOI, says most children’s homes did not have a full-time or qualified mental health professional, thought Rule 46 of the Delhi Juvenile Justice Rules, 2009, provides for maintenance of the mental health record of every child by the institution as well as interventions and individual therapy for every child.
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