By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Self-harming is often seen among adolescents suffering from stress and depression, according a senior expert at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Although no specific supporting data is available, the prevalence of self-harming is significant and several reasons lead some adolescents to it.
They are vulnerable due to genetic, neuro-biological and environmental reasons, Dr Hanan Derby, Senior Consultant and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, HMC, told this newspaper.
“There is self-harming, mostly among adolescents. It’s all about a child unable to cope with stress. Some are vulnerable and have limited coping skills, some end up (with self-harm) either it’s a cry for help, to get attention, escape a painful or distressing event, or it could be giving them some comfort,” said Dr Derby, also Director, Child and Mental health Service.
“We need to educate adolescents that there are other ways of dealing with stress. So we need to empower them to cope with stress through support and encourage them to talk about their problems,” said Dr Derby.
There is no data in Qatar on the prevalence of mental health problems among children.
International studies on adults indicate that one in five will be affected by mental illness at some stage of their lives and that one in 20 children and adolescents experience mental health difficulties.
“We see a range of behavioural and emotional difficulties. Children and adolescents have two types of problems — general emotional behaviour forms like being aggressive with others, be unable to communicate with others, depression, anxiety social phobia, and school refusals,” said Dr Derby.
“Some have developmental neuro-autistic disorder, eating problem disorder.
“There are some other mental disorders such as psychosis and trauma,” she added.
In Qatar, as in many countries, the stigma often attached to mental illness is a barrier to healthcare and quality of life.
Negative attitudes about mental illnesses prevent individuals and families from seeking help and impact their capacity to participate fully in community life.
“It’s important that parents or the school should see changes in the child’s behaviour and seek help,” said Dr Derby.
However, a new treatment centre for children and adolescents with mental health problems receives an average of 15-25 cases a week.
The multi-disciplinary team at HMC-managed centre in Muither provides limited services but is set for expansion.
“It’s a good sign that people are seeking intervention for mental health problems,” said Dr Derby.
However, she said some children with behavioural difficulties are mistaken for having mental health problems.
“It’s related to the parenting style which needs to be appropriate, sometimes it could be that kids are not happy at school or subjected to something like bullying,” said Dr Derby.
The Peninsula
