KOCHI: A statewide adolescent counselling programme, organised by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)in conjuction with the Indian Association of Pediatricians and Child Development Centre, was lanuched at the St Xavier’s College, Aluva,on Saturday. Under the programme, doctors and experts in child psychiatry will visit higher secondary schools and colleges across the state to conduct adolescent counselling and screening sessions.“A questionnaire with a total of seven questions will be given to each student. The questionnaire is designed in such a manner that with which we will be able to identify those students who need professional help. During the subsequent sessions, the students will get a better idea about themselves and their problems. There will also be one-on-one sessions,” said director, Child Development Centre, M K C Nair.A screening programme was held for around 150 students of the St Xavier’s College after the launch, which will serve as a model for similar programmes to be held elsewhere. “The programme will be extended to all districts in the state. About 15 pediatricians will visit each college to conduct the sessions. After conducting the classes and the one-on-one counselling sessions, those students who need more attention will be referred to psychiatrists. As part of the programme around 200 pediatricians from across Kerala will be given training on February 5. These doctors will then conduct the programme in colleges and higher secondary schools across Kerala,” elaborated the state president of the Indian Academy of Pediatricians Dr M R Nair.The sessions will include various aspects of the adolescent health including, scholastic, mental and reproductive health. “From the first session held at the St Xavier’s College, what we have found is that counselling programme is the need of the hour. There is a lot of information available to the students but they do not have any assistance on what to choose.
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