It’s 2023, and a month has gone by already with many resolutions being broken, some barely making it to reality and some more just being a mere idea and nothing else. As February steps in no one needs a reminder of what the month signifies. Everyone talks about roses, chocolates, romantic dates, crushes and finding a partner to celebrate the special day with but when do we realize that more than all of that one needs to enjoy his own company, go on dates by themselves and most importantly love oneself first.Jean-Jacques Rousseau talks about ‘Amour de soi’ a concept in his philosophy that translates to Self-love i.e one's feelings for himself, without any care or concerns about how he is perceived by others. As humans it is quite natural to seek love from others but are we really ready to accept another human into our lives when we have failed to make efforts to understand and accept ourselves first, to completely let go of inhibitions and embrace our faults and flaws?. We want to be loved, accepted, understood and cared for by others but completely fail to do that with ourselves. Although the concept of self-love is becoming more relevant since the past few years, there is a large group of people who still do not know how to love themselves. It takes small steps, few minor changes and a large accepting heart to embrace ourselves the way we are. Let us start by doing things that makes us happy, stop worrying about others opinions of us or our choices, allowing ourselves to make mistakes, letting go of our stupid errors and  stale past, not setting up high standards for ourselves by comparing with others, accepting our body, skin tone and being comfortable the way we are, putting ourselves first in every situation, enjoying the pain and joy and the process that got us there and finally by not being afraid to let go of toxic people and relationships, no matter how close they are.Thus, we always need to remember that we are our first friend, trusting ourselves to make the choice that suits us the best and to always be kind to ourselves. Don’t wait for others to pat your back, to see how good you are and what you are capable of! Instead go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back, celebrate when you achieve a new height, take yourself on a fancy date, go on that solo trip you’ve been desiring to go for years and mostly stop thinking about what will “THEY” say? Only then will we be able to accept us with all our shortcomings and still love ourselves to the fullest because as Rupi Kaur says “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you”.Contributed by Clarin Simon BrownMental Health Practitioner, Carpediem EdPsych Consultancy LLP

Music needs no introduction or explanation for its use in therapy, but musical experience does. It is the experience that music creates that is therapeutic for the mind and body. It is important to understand the basics of how music is used as therapy in its capacity to be inclusive, integrative and responsive to deal with physio-psycho-socio-educational issues of day-to-day life.Music Therapy in Holistic HealthcareIn a holistic approach towards health, our physical and emotional well-being are conceived as intertwined. The distress caused by emotional factors is always linked with a chemical imbalance in the brain and body. Medication is a way to treat the condition of neurochemical imbalance. However, its side effects on many occasions are difficult to rule out. Music therapy as an allied healthcare practice can act as an agent to intrinsically stabilize or change the mood and emotion causing distress to the body.A young man of early 20s who had been admitted in a palliative care unit of a renowned hospital in a city in India for his last phase of treatment and care, shared his experience of music therapy in an introspective report as “music therapy helped me to adapt with the disease, taught me to prioritize spiritual dimension of life, it soothed me, helped me to develop the realization…when nobody around, I have my music… I am ready to accept the inevitable.”Music Therapy- What does it serve?There are several misconceptions about the practice of music therapy. First of all, the client doesn’t need to have musical ability to benefit from music therapy. There is a difference between traditional music-based healing and music as therapy, which is a multidisciplinary field of allied health science. It refers to the clinical and evidenced-based practise of music as a medium of therapeutic intervention by a trained and certified professional music therapist. Music or its elements are implemented through carefully designed therapeutic techniques to give a therapeutically appropriate experience within an evolving relationship between client and therapist. The process in clinical context includes the stages of assessment, intervention and evaluation with clearly stated individualized therapeutic goals and objectives.Music therapy as an approach is integrative and inclusive in the context of health care, can get involved in interdisciplinary treatment planning, evaluations and follow up. It is often used to support or facilitate the process and outcomes of other therapies like speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education etc. Because of the flexibility and adaptability of music as a medium of communication in therapy, it easily gains the attention and acceptance of clients. In children, the unique music experience in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner brings change to the behaviour, facilitates developmental skills and enhances the quality of life of the child and family.The other creative modalities, like dance and movements, arts, storytelling, role play, etc., are often integrated within the domain of music therapy practice, facilitate multisensory experiences. Music in the form of responsive therapy- medically, psychologically and socio-culturally, structured and adapted through musical elements, helps to build and strengthen the mutually responsive connection between therapist and client.Effects of Music Therapy on ChildrenIn my experience of practicing music therapy with children with special needs- music gives personal direct access to their World, facilitates unconditional acceptance by children, helps to form emotional bonding and secure attachment faster than any other medium. The overall positivity associated with the process of music-making in therapy accelerates the achievement of therapeutic goals and objectives.Often received comments from parents like -“my child waits for this session through the week” “my child is better adjusted in school.”“my child’s mathematical ability has increased after joining music therapy.” “There are lots of changes in mood and behaviour that helped my child to adjust with other therapies.”“ Music helped me to get involved more with the interventions that my son is going through..… I feel much secure now.” “I observe an overall positive change in my daughter in all aspects…I think it is due to the effects of music.”  Advantages of Music TherapySome of the unique features and advantages of music therapy for children suffering from any disability or emotional or behavioural problems includeEnhances imagination and creativity by giving space for creative self-expression at their level.Gives multisensory experiences as the brain as a whole receives and responds to music.Gives stability to gross and fine motor movements; body posture and balance.Encourages flexibility of thoughts and behaviours.Facilitates verbal and non-verbal communication skills in a unique manner.Develops awareness of the environment in a unique manner.Teaches utilization of space in social interaction.Indulges freedom as well as a sense of security in a musical context.Helps to develop emotional regulation.Helps to develop self-regulation.Boosts self-esteem.The melody and rhythm of music bind the child- therapist, child- family, child- peers through uniquely created musical experiences.Explores the cause behind a clinical symptom in a psychosocial context.Safely be used with children for the diagnosis of a problem.Music has no side effects! Directly linked to overall enhancement and upliftment of life and related conditions.The positive impact of music in people  lives encompassing a wide range of conditions and circumstances are well documented through research evidence.Music Therapy is a lot more than relaxation…. Music therapy functions at three levels- restoration, maintenance and improvement of physical and mental health. The therapeutic properties and applications of music can do much more than what we believe or simply associate with relaxation or unwinding emotions. Music therapy practice can be employed and integrated at a variety of places, including psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centres, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centres, agencies serving developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centres, drug and alcohol programs, old age homes, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and even in private practices.

Apart from the home atmosphere, a child is deeply shaped by the school experience. The teachers who form the core of their growing years leave an indelible mark on them, the memories they carry with them throughout life's journey. For this reason, parents and teachers need to work in tandem to ensure that the home is an extension of the practices and values imbibed in the classroom and vice-versa the only way to do that is for parents and teachers to communicate honestly and effectively. Children, even during the early years, are keen observers, and when they realize that their parents and teachers are communicating, they understand that everyone has their best interests in mind.  Parent-Teacher Communication-What is it?As a teacher, headmistress and parent myself, I have realized that communication serves as a bridge that helps develop a relationship that begins at the beginning of a school year and stays until the child moves to the next grade. Opportunities for parent and teacher communication can occur in person during the Parent-Teacher Meeting, events at school or even during pick up and drop off - especially in the Early Years scenario. Apart from this, teachers and parents can also reach out to each other via phone or email. Benefits of Effective Communication:For Parents:Anxiety and fear are words synonymous with children and parents, especially in early childhood development. The reason being that it is the first time children are stepping out of their comfort zone, and parents are slowly trying to come to terms with this transition. Regular and effective communication with the teacher at this juncture will help put your mind at ease and guide you to understand your child's developmental milestones, strengths and areas that need further development.For Teachers:At the beginning of each academic year, teachers too have their apprehensions and fears, and the first meeting with the parents helps build a bridge to remove them. The bond with parents helps create a learning environment where trust is nurtured, and both parents and teachers work together to focus on the child's well-being in their care. Tips for Parent-Teacher Communication – Important Strategies:Today, communication is possible through so many mediums, so it is good to review what worked for you and then add other new methods to the already existing ones to get a 360-degree communication model in place. For me personally, here are a few tips that worked wonders in reducing anxiety and creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation between the parents and the team. I believe that they will certainly help you too!Quick Daily Interactions: Children in the early years still comprehend the world around them and may not be able to put their thoughts into words coherently. Thus, quick interactions during pick up and drop are a good way to exchange verbal notes about the child's day. Diary Notes: If anything important is to be communicated, parents and teachers can also use the school diary to share notes. Both parties must make it a practice to check the diary daily and acknowledge the communication. Parent-Teacher Meetings: Usually scheduled once a month, a parent-teacher meeting is a good platform to discuss the child's progress. Being honest and respectful to each other and listening to understand the other person's perceptive with helpful in the brainstorming session and serve to create specific goals with definite timelines that will hasten progress. Phone Calls and Emails: In some cases, both the above scenarios may not work for parents because of their busy schedules. So here, a phone call or an email will help the teacher and parents connect. After the phone call, brief, simple discussions and documentation will serve as a reference for both parents and teachers! Very much like verbal communication, it is important to think before putting words together, as the message in the email will be decoded as per the reader's mood. Thus, parents and teachers are advised to proofread the document and check for any underlying tones before pressing the send button.Text Messages: Reminders for important events can be sent through text messages with clear details of the time, date and expectations. Parents can either RSVP using the same medium or send an email with the confirmation. Newsletters: This form of communication is welcomed with open arms by parents. They get a glimpse of the activities conducted and see how much their child enjoyed participating in the same. A monthly or quarterly newsletter with photographs and a crisp note documenting the event works to further strengthen the connection. Parents and teachers shape a child's learning experience, and perfect communication is the key to a stronger foundation! These tips are meant to guide you on this journey and are coupled with kind words. There is no way that you, as parents and teachers, can go wrong in shaping the lives of the children entrusted to you. Guest Blog - Contributed by Rachna B. GuptaKnow more about her in our consultant's section.

Published in: The Economic Times

We know more than two billion people around the world play games, but less than 1% are thought to have a gaming disorder.

Published in: The Hindu

WHO reported in 2017 that there were about 9,000 psychiatrists practising in India, which equates to 0.75% per lakh of people

Published in: Independent.ie

Education Minister Norma Foley says a proposed new law approved by Cabinet yesterday may be used to ensure that schools open classes in September for children with special needs.The legislation will truncate the legal process available to the minister to compel a school to open a special educational needs class if they do not agree to do so. Currently the process – known as Section 37A – takes four to 18 months. The new law will cut that to six to eight weeks.The draft legislation approved by the Cabinet will be fast-tracked through the Oireachtas, with a view to being passed into law before the Dáil rises for the summer.