Children's vulnerabilities and pathways to conflict with the law: Insights from Swatantra Clinic, a specialised mental health service at a tertiary care centre in India

Harshini Manohar; Kiruthika Asokan; Rajendra Kiragasur Madegowda; John Vijay Sagar Kommu; Shekhar Seshadri

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104048

Children's vulnerabilities and pathways to conflict with the law: Insights from Swatantra Clinic, a specialised mental health service at a tertiary care centre in India

Asian J Psychiatr. 2024 Apr 12:96:104048. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104048. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Harshini Manohar¹, Kiruthika Asokan¹, Rajendra Kiragasur Madegowda², John Vijay Sagar Kommu¹, Shekhar Seshadri³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India.
² Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. Electronic address: nmark@nimhans.ac.in.
³ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Advisor, Support, Advocacy & Mental Health Interventions for Children in Vulnerable Circumstances And Distress (SAMVAD), A National Initiative & Integrated Resource for Child Protection, Mental Health, & Psychosocial Care, Established by Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, India.

PMID: 38677051
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104048

Abstract

'Swatantra-Clinic' at NIMHANS, India, provides mental healthcare to vulnerable children. This study describes the clinical profile, vulnerability and protective factors of 77 adolescents in conflict with the law (CICL). 90.9 % (n=70) reported Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), 58.4 % (n=45) had school-related difficulties, 68.9 % (n=53) reported child labour experiences, 64.9 % (n=50) had deviant peer associations, and 40 % (n=31) experimented with substance use. Despite vulnerabilities, 72.7 %(n=56) had a positive future orientation, 45.5 % (n=35) had supportive caregivers and exhibited prosocial skills. only 12 % (n=9) followed up on recommendations, highlighting the need for collaborative and transdisciplinary care to promote CICL rehabilitation and community integration.

Keywords: Children in conflict with the law; India; Juvenile justice; Mental health; Pathways to offence; Preliminary assessment; Vulnerabilities.