Breaking the Child Mental Health Stigma

Working towards breaking the stigma around child mental health, the Child Learning and Behaviour Services (CLBS) at The Aga Khan University Hospital held a free health camp on 26^rd August, 2017.

Child cognitive and behavioural health problems are on the rise among children between the age of two and ten. These problems encompass difficulties in learning, behaving or managing their emotions. Among others, the most prevalent child mental and emotional health problems are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, speech and language difficulties, behavioural difficulties, learning difficulties, anxiety disorder and mood disorders.

The CLBS health camp was attended by almost 300 people. The event was organised to help parents and families interact with cognitive and behavioural health experts and learn more about their child's development needs. The experts highlighted the need for open dialogue and the environment of acceptance and encouragement for children experiencing intellectual and behavioural challenges. The panel included acclaimed experts Faisal Gill, Sound Therapist; Aasiya Sachwani, Speech and Language Pathologist; Aliya Batool, GM Pakistan Autism Centre; Urooj Hasan, Behaviour Therapist and Head APACT Program, AKUH; and Dr. Taniya Nadeem, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Parents had the opportunity to discuss their questions and concerns through an interactive session.

Besides that, various booth activities were set up by the therapists to demonstrate techniques on how parents can help their children at home.

One of the attendees Syed Saadat Shah praised the event saying, "It has been a good interactive session that has helped me learn more about my child's development needs. It provides parents a good opportunity to understand how we can deal with and provide for the needs of our children in a better way. We hope to see more such events."

The CLBS is a one-stop health solution that offers various specialities in one clinic. With a team of highly trained psychiatrists, psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, the clinic aims at helping parents find comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services under one roof for all kinds of child mental health problems.