Children's Ward
About the Children's Ward
There are very few facilities for disadvantaged children with mental illnesses in North East India. The creation of an inpatient ward for children and young people represents the first step in Friends of Antara UK's campaign to develop a comprehensive mental health service for children of all backgrounds.
Antara has been working with children since 1997 when it started a once-weekly outpatient clinic. Since then a Child Guidance team has developed to support child patients, with staff attending specialist training at India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences.
This team, including psychologists, paediatrician, psychiatrist, social workers and nurses, highlighted the need for an inpatient facility as a priority.
Many children attending outpatient clinics were in poor health and required intensive support. - Detailed assessment and therapy was not possible in an out-patient setting.
- Children may deteriorate in the family setting without intervention.
- Attending clinics was difficult for families travelling from long distances.
- Children were having to be inappropriately admitted to adult wards.
In September 2002 Friends of Antara UK responded by starting an appeal to create a designated ward for children with:
16 beds for children & 16 beds for accompanying adults. - Play therapy and observation room
- Counselling and therapy rooms.
- Dining and recreation areas
As an in-patient the staff observe the child, their progress, therapies, and involve parents and guardians at all stages to ensure good home management.
Acute Care - Assessment
- Counselling parents or guardians
- Play, art and behavioural therapies
- General medical support (Where necessary).
- Psychiatric treatment.
How you can help
Thanks to your generous support the Children's ward was completed and started operating in August 2005. Since then hundreds of children have been assisted, and the number attending is growing.
Our priority now is to increase the amount of free beds and treatment that Antara can provide at any one time. To help subsidise mental healthcare for children we have started a Children's Fund. Please consider supporting this fund by buying Antara products or donating regularly.