New Kolkata Mental Health Institution Opens with Dedicated Internet Addiction Clinic

Part of the mental health institution that opened on Monday will include a clinic dedicated to treating Internet addiction.

Located in Beckbagan, close to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, on the West Range is Mono-Bigyan Bhaban, an initiative of the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata (I-NK).

Doctors stated that internet addiction, which is common in kids and teenagers, is a psychological illness that impacts mental health and requires quick attention from professionals.

"Addiction to the internet is just the beginning. Family issues, poor academic performance, or peer pressure may be the underlying reasons of the issue, according to IN-K child and adolescent psychiatrist Praveen Kumar, head of the neuropsychiatry department.

There is a broad spectrum of Internet addiction. We encounter a range of age groups, from three-year-olds to teenagers," he stated.

Additionally, an early intervention center for autism will be housed in the new facility.

"Treating autism requires early intervention greatly. Before the child turns three, diagnosis and intervention make a huge difference, according to Kumar.

Under the direction of child psychiatrists, the Beckbagan autism clinic will concentrate on speech therapy, pediatric occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy.

"It is best to intervene as soon as possible." Controlling restlessness and hyperactivity is part of the therapy. Integration of senses is also a part of it. Toddlers diagnosed with autism fear walking on uneven ground. They frequently struggle with loud noises and bright lighting. They get overstimulated by music. All of these issues are addressed via comprehensive therapy, according to clinical psychologist Chandrani Talukdar, who works with the unit.

The three-story building was officially opened by Bengal's minister for social welfare and women's and children's development, Shashi Panja.

It provides a comprehensive variety of services, including inpatient care and outpatient consultations, by fusing cutting-edge therapeutic techniques with time-honored approaches. An I-NK representative stated, "This initiative demonstrates our commitment to de-stigmatizing mental health issues and ensuring that mental health care is accessible to everyone."

There will be other specialist clinics devoted to treating issues such as substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in addition to Internet addiction.