Mental Health Summit 2021 – Drafting Policies for Change
Theme: “Importance of Psycho-Socio and Legal Framework in the Child Care Protection Policy”
The Meraki Society for Mental Health at DME is organizing a National Level Policy Drafting Competition (virtual mode) on the theme “Importance of Psycho-Socio and Legal Framework in the Child Care Protection Policy” with “The Peninsula Foundation” as a knowledge partner.
The idea is to draft effective policies for change in the current regime around mental and emotional health. The well-being of people has been adversely affected as a result of the global pandemic and this second wave, which has not only instilled fear in the minds of the general public but has also changed the statistics of mental health crises for the worse. This initiative aims at giving a creative as well as legal acceleration to policymaking by young academic scholars and professionals. The event will be graced by the Honorable Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
About Meraki: Society for Mental Health
Meraki: Society for Mental Health at DME aims to initiate change and sensitize students about mental health and focus on the art of empathizing. It endeavours to establish a community garden for students and provide guidance and psycho-emotional support. Mental health encompasses the overall well-being and impacts our lives in many ways. It is an initiative to equip the students to meet the multiple challenges and expectations beyond academics.
About the Theme:
Policies and the recognition of human rights and child rights are witnessing a sea change during the pandemic. It is illegal to invite individuals to adopt orphans since no child may be adopted without the assistance of CARA. This competition invites participants to draft policies keeping in mind the psychological factor that is involved in the process of adoption. The Supreme Court of India directed the Centre and the States to investigate cases of illegal adoption. However, there are still no restrictions in place in this area. Participants have to develop a policy that offers a care system for such children while keeping their mental health and adoption legalities in mind. The idea is centric around vulnerable children, specifically abandoned or orphaned children and their well-being in aspects of law, psychology, and well-being.
1. Children in need of care and protection from Law
2. Transition period, change of environment, foster home to adoptive homes
3. International adoption, legalities
4. Same-sex couples, queer couples wanting to adopt
5. Adoption of specially-abled children and special needs (diseases)
6. Judicial separation- foster homes and mental health
7. ‘Unwanted Children’- Children born out of rape, fatherless, unwanted teenage pregnancies and counselling.