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Articles on Dementia and Mental Health Programmes by Jagruti

Teenagers in Danger: Children Targeted by Game Blue Whale

Children with vulnerable mindset are often targeted by the games like BlueWhale. Some Blue Whales come to beach & die; it is exactly with the game. It is advised to parents to be very much vigilant about children’s internet use.

Please look for the signs & visit a Psychiatrist if required

  • Withdrawn behavior from friends and family
  • Persistent low mood and unhappiness
  • Tearfulness and Irritability
  • Sudden outbursts of anger
  • Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
  • Disturbed eating or sleeping

Blue Whale Claims First Life in Kerala:

A 16-year-old boy in Kerala was reported to have committed suicide on 26 July 2017, after playing the online Blue Whale game. Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, it was said he ended his life after allegedly completing the tasks of this deadly game. Recalling the ordeal, the mother of the deceased told the media, boy had committed suicide after deleting all the games from his mobile phone. Acknowledging that her son had informed her about playing the fatal game, she said she had persuaded him to refrain from playing it, but to no avail. She also said he had downloaded the game nine months ago and that he told her not to worry if he dies soon. His mother also revealed that he used to visit cemeteries during the night and go to the beach alone. One of the tasks assigned to the players involved watching the horror videos sent to them by promoters of the game, it is believed. The boy had also drawn on his wrist with a compass, his mother said, adding that he had offered to donate his organs after his death.

“People know that exercise helps physical outcomes. They know how to cope with Diabetes, Heart Disease, Blood Pressure or any other physical problems but there is much less awareness of mental health outcomes” said Psychiatrist Dr Himanshu Pendse. “Counseling is recognised as an effective tool for helping make life as normal as possible for people in the early stages of dementia. Although it cannot be cured or reversed, it can be managed. In recent years, more attention has been given to dementia counseling as a way of helping those with dementia and their families deal with the diagnosis.” Said Niranjan Pandit.

How to prevent Dementia? Program is organised by Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre seeks to create awareness and dispel the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease. At the same venue, Free Alzheimer’s Dementia Testing Camp will be arranged. Admission is free and open to the public.