Ajoy Fernandes sdb
ANDHERI, JULY 2, 2008: Prafulta Psychological Services in collaboration with The Bombay Psychiatric Society organized a seminar on “Psychological Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence” to celebrate its tenth year of existence at the P. D. Hinduja Auditorium on June 28 and 29, 2008. The audience comprised Psychiatrists, Medical Practitioners, School and College Principals, and Counselors. On their arrival, participants were presented with a brochure that highlighted the different services rendered by Prafulta. Fr. Michael Fernandes, Provincial, was the Chief Guest for the occasion. Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, Director of Prafulta, led the audience into prayer with the help of a meditative Power Point presentation. The Chief Guest lit the lamp together with the founding members – Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, Dr. Kersi Chavda, Dr. Harish Shetty, and Ms. Mimansa Popat. Fr. Michael in his inaugural address spoke about the expansion of the Salesian works in India and the Province of Mumbai, its branches, and the efforts of Fr. Godfrey D’Sa in founding and developing the services offered by Prafulta and Balprafulta. Dr. Harish Shetty (Consultant Psychiatrist, Hiranandani Hospital and Prafulta) delivering the keynote address spoke about ‘Kids Today – Issues, Interventions and Innovations. The first module, chaired by Dr. Henal Shah (Associate Prof. Psychiatry – Nair Hospital), focused on Academic Difficulties. Ms. Mimansa Popat (Special Education Consultant and Counselor, Ashray & Prafulta) explained the types of learning difficulty children present with, the effects of such difficulties on their esteem, emotions and behavior; and available interventions. Dr. Franzina Coutinho (Consultant Hinduja & Prafulta) focused on difficulties children have in integrating sensory data, and how Occupational Therapy can help remedy these difficulties. The second module, chaired by Dr. Sanjay Kumawat (President of the Bombay Psychiatric Society), focused on Depression and Anxiety. Dr. Ajoy Fernandes sdb presented data about depression among Indian teenagers; types of depression; its antecedents, and avenues for interventions. Dr. Rajes
h Parikh (Neuropsychiatrist, Jaslok Hospital) discussed the possibilities and limits of medication and psychotherapy in treating depression in children and adolescents. The third module, chaired by Dr. Barnabe D’Souza sdb, dealt with Addictions. Dr. Rakesh Ghildiyal (Prof and Head of the Department of Psychiatry MGM Medical College) explained the concept of addiction and spoke about addiction to various substances. Ms. Ruby Pavri (Lecturer, St. Xavier’s College) spoke about the effect of new-age addictions like use of mobile, the internet and interactive video games. Mr. Suraag Lambrou in a special session on Somatic Experiencing discussed and explained how and why vital energies are locked into the body, and how they could be released through somatic therapy thus restoring balance to body, emotions and mind. The fourth module on Violence in Children was chaired by Ms. Jessie Vas (Principal, Jamnabai Narsee Memorial High School). Dr. Sharita Shah (Consultant Psychiatrist Saifee, Harkisondas, Hiranandani and Kothari Hospitals) spoke about bullying among children and adolescents, explaining the kinds of bullying; reasons why individuals indulge in bullying; and Interventions to reduce bullying. Dr. Kersi Chavda (Vice-President, Bombay Psychiatric Society; Consultant Psychiatrist Hinduja Hospital and Prafulta) explained
the characteristics of persons with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Conduct Disorder; and interventions helping parents and educators for addressing these characteristics. The fifth module on Dysfunctional Families was chaired by Dr. Sujata Chavan (Marriage Counselor, Family Court). Dr. Jayita Deodhar (Secretary, Bombay Psychiatric Society; Contultant Tata Memorial Hospital) spoke about types of single parents; effects of different types of single parents on children; ways of coping among such children; and interventions to help such children. Dr. Fabian Almeida (Consultant Psychiatrist, Wellsprings Community Clinic & Prafulta) spoke about the characteristics of children in abusive families, their methods of coping and interventions to help them. The sixth module on Sexuality was chaired by Dr. Leena Bahrani (Consultant Psychiatrist and Past Life Therapist). Fr. Godfrey D’Sa explained the definition of Child Sexual Abuse, its prevalence rates in India, effects on children, and Need for Prevention of CSA. Dr. Rakesh Sinha (Consultant Gynecologist, BEAMS Hospital) proposed ways of educating adolescents to a healthy model of sexuality comprising passion, intimacy and commitment. Participants appreciated the seminar for its meticulous and careful organization, adherence to time schedules, selection of resource persons, content, as well as for creating awareness of relevant and pressing issues of distress among children and adolescents. Children in India are living dangerously and much needs to be done in the area of care and protection of children. Unless there is a concerted effort from parents, educators, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and counselors we will not see a change in the present trend. Prafulta, with its multi-dimensional services and its networking with various professionals working with children, is strategically poised to bring about this change. As a Don Bosco Organization, Prafulta is committed to make this happen.
ANDHERI, JULY 2, 2008: Prafulta Psychological Services in collaboration with The Bombay Psychiatric Society organized a seminar on “Psychological Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence” to celebrate its tenth year of existence at the P. D. Hinduja Auditorium on June 28 and 29, 2008. The audience comprised Psychiatrists, Medical Practitioners, School and College Principals, and Counselors. On their arrival, participants were presented with a brochure that highlighted the different services rendered by Prafulta. Fr. Michael Fernandes, Provincial, was the Chief Guest for the occasion. Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, Director of Prafulta, led the audience into prayer with the help of a meditative Power Point presentation. The Chief Guest lit the lamp together with the founding members – Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, Dr. Kersi Chavda, Dr. Harish Shetty, and Ms. Mimansa Popat. Fr. Michael in his inaugural address spoke about the expansion of the Salesian works in India and the Province of Mumbai, its branches, and the efforts of Fr. Godfrey D’Sa in founding and developing the services offered by Prafulta and Balprafulta. Dr. Harish Shetty (Consultant Psychiatrist, Hiranandani Hospital and Prafulta) delivering the keynote address spoke about ‘Kids Today – Issues, Interventions and Innovations. The first module, chaired by Dr. Henal Shah (Associate Prof. Psychiatry – Nair Hospital), focused on Academic Difficulties. Ms. Mimansa Popat (Special Education Consultant and Counselor, Ashray & Prafulta) explained the types of learning difficulty children present with, the effects of such difficulties on their esteem, emotions and behavior; and available interventions. Dr. Franzina Coutinho (Consultant Hinduja & Prafulta) focused on difficulties children have in integrating sensory data, and how Occupational Therapy can help remedy these difficulties. The second module, chaired by Dr. Sanjay Kumawat (President of the Bombay Psychiatric Society), focused on Depression and Anxiety. Dr. Ajoy Fernandes sdb presented data about depression among Indian teenagers; types of depression; its antecedents, and avenues for interventions. Dr. Rajes
h Parikh (Neuropsychiatrist, Jaslok Hospital) discussed the possibilities and limits of medication and psychotherapy in treating depression in children and adolescents. The third module, chaired by Dr. Barnabe D’Souza sdb, dealt with Addictions. Dr. Rakesh Ghildiyal (Prof and Head of the Department of Psychiatry MGM Medical College) explained the concept of addiction and spoke about addiction to various substances. Ms. Ruby Pavri (Lecturer, St. Xavier’s College) spoke about the effect of new-age addictions like use of mobile, the internet and interactive video games. Mr. Suraag Lambrou in a special session on Somatic Experiencing discussed and explained how and why vital energies are locked into the body, and how they could be released through somatic therapy thus restoring balance to body, emotions and mind. The fourth module on Violence in Children was chaired by Ms. Jessie Vas (Principal, Jamnabai Narsee Memorial High School). Dr. Sharita Shah (Consultant Psychiatrist Saifee, Harkisondas, Hiranandani and Kothari Hospitals) spoke about bullying among children and adolescents, explaining the kinds of bullying; reasons why individuals indulge in bullying; and Interventions to reduce bullying. Dr. Kersi Chavda (Vice-President, Bombay Psychiatric Society; Consultant Psychiatrist Hinduja Hospital and Prafulta) explained
the characteristics of persons with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Conduct Disorder; and interventions helping parents and educators for addressing these characteristics. The fifth module on Dysfunctional Families was chaired by Dr. Sujata Chavan (Marriage Counselor, Family Court). Dr. Jayita Deodhar (Secretary, Bombay Psychiatric Society; Contultant Tata Memorial Hospital) spoke about types of single parents; effects of different types of single parents on children; ways of coping among such children; and interventions to help such children. Dr. Fabian Almeida (Consultant Psychiatrist, Wellsprings Community Clinic & Prafulta) spoke about the characteristics of children in abusive families, their methods of coping and interventions to help them. The sixth module on Sexuality was chaired by Dr. Leena Bahrani (Consultant Psychiatrist and Past Life Therapist). Fr. Godfrey D’Sa explained the definition of Child Sexual Abuse, its prevalence rates in India, effects on children, and Need for Prevention of CSA. Dr. Rakesh Sinha (Consultant Gynecologist, BEAMS Hospital) proposed ways of educating adolescents to a healthy model of sexuality comprising passion, intimacy and commitment. Participants appreciated the seminar for its meticulous and careful organization, adherence to time schedules, selection of resource persons, content, as well as for creating awareness of relevant and pressing issues of distress among children and adolescents. Children in India are living dangerously and much needs to be done in the area of care and protection of children. Unless there is a concerted effort from parents, educators, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and counselors we will not see a change in the present trend. Prafulta, with its multi-dimensional services and its networking with various professionals working with children, is strategically poised to bring about this change. As a Don Bosco Organization, Prafulta is committed to make this happen.