Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Free counselling services for adolescents struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, and peer pressure have been arranged at six health centers. Umang health center being run in these health institutes are offering physical, mental, and emotional support to children ensuring their well-being.
These centres are operational at JP Hospital (District Hospital), Civil Hospital Bairagarh, Civil Hospital Kailashnath Katju, Civil Hospital Berasia, Community Health Center Kolar, and Community Health Center Gandhinagar.
According to doctors, the National Adolescent Health Program, launched in 2014 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aims to address the challenges faced by teenagers and adolescents. At Umang Health Centers, counseling is provided in a friendly environment ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of students.
At these centres, adolescents in the age group of 10 to 19 years are being counseled maintaining scientific approach. These centers operate from 9 am to 4 pm and here trained counselors talk to students and understand their issues.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Bhopal Dr Prabhakar Tiwari stated that adolescence is an important and delicate phase of life where boy or girl undergoes physical and mental development. He stressed on ensuring proper nutrition in their diet, education, correct guidance, support and a sense of belonging for healthy development during this stage.
Counseling, treatment and referral services are being provided in the center as per the requirement of the child, said Dr Tiwari. Nutrition, prevention of anemia, sexual and reproductive health, menstrual health, non-communicable diseases, side effects of drug abuse, family and personal counseling, prevention of gender-based violence and injury, stress depression, mental depression like suicide, prevention of child marriage, prevention of teenage pregnancy and MTP related counseling are available.
