JSS hospital launches special clinic for digital well-being | Mysuru News
Mysuru: The city-based JSS hospital will on Friday launch a special clinic to help people struggling with mobile phone and other behavioural addictions at its premises.As behavioural addictions like mobile phone, gaming, and pornography surge in the digital age, JSS Medical College & Hospital will launch a ‘Special Clinic for Behavioural Addiction & Digital Well-Being’ under the department of clinical psychology in collaboration with the department of paediatrics and psychiatry. The clinic will serve as a specialised centre for the assessment, treatment, and research of behavioural addictions and excessive use of digital platforms and technologies. The clinic will work every Sat.Dr D Narayanappa, principal, JSS Medical College, told reporters on Thursday that various studies across India show a sharp rise in digital addiction incidences among adolescents and young adults. The prevalence ranges from 13.5 to 22% of children, adolescents, and college students who were found to be engaging in high-risk digital behaviours. Excessive screen time has been linked to rising anxiety, sleep issues, and attention difficulties among young adults. These increasing cases are leading to developmental and psychosocial issues in children and adolescents, as well as occupational issues among adults, reducing their performance and resulting in serious mental health problems.Dr Rithvik S Kashyap, associate professor and head, department of clinical psychology, said the clinic will not only provide direct clinical services, but also serve as a hub for academic research, training, and awareness-building, contributing to a deeper understanding of behavioural addictions and digital behaviour-related mental health issues. It also intends to support victims of cyberbullying and digital crime, an area that has seen increasing concern, especially among teenagers and young adults.Dr Prashanth S N, professor and head, dept of paediatrics, emphasised the urgent need for specialised integrated services to handle the silent pandemic of these behavioural addictions among children and adolescents whose psychosocial development is severely affected due to these conditions.Dr Kishor M, professor and head, dept of psychiatry, underscored the need for integrated efforts to address the concern. With over 900 million internet users in India, experts stress the urgent need for awareness, early intervention, and specialised clinics like the one at JSS hospital to address the growing crisis.
