Together with Udayan Care, NCPCR held a Two Day National Workshop on Postive Mental Health & Well-being of Children in Institutional Care. At this workshop different organizations working with children in institutional care were invited to join in on the discussions of mental health and to learn on a more professional level about the minds different stages after traumatic events.
Seeing as the Kullu Project is to help out with Bashing (or Kullu) Orphanage, this weekend would turn out to be very helpful indeed in terms of contacts and examples of good structures of orphanages. The first day focused mostly on defining mental health in terms of personal experience and in accordance with society and one’s environment. We also learned much about how to recognize when someone goes from the state of a positive mental health to the state of mental illness, especially concerning Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD).
Further children’s own capability to deal with their mental health was discussed. We were informed of ways to teach children on how to deal with stress and events that reminded them of a trauma they have experienced. This was very interesting as different psychologist’s methods were presented. Soon we realized how important it will be to try and get hold of a psychologist that can visit the orphanage on a regular basis so that the minds of the children can develop in a healthier manner after being abandoned by parents etc.
The second day, some organizations came with personal stories and explained their structure of the management and how it worked. Again, very helpful in terms of deciding what will be best for the Kullu Orphanage and its management structure. During tea breaks and in the evening we got to speak with many who gave us good advice and whom I hope will be useful contacts for the future if in need of help.
Overall we gained much insight on how to deal with the minds of children with PTSD and the importance of having caretakers educated about these topics so that the children will have a good, stable environment in to develop.
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