Transform childhoods of 300 slum children in India

The mental health of children

Lallubhai Compound, Mankhurd, has witnessed a high incidence of suicide and other cases of mental health among the younger demographic. Continued displacement from habitat, lack of basic facilities, neglect due to family disputes and single parenting are some of the issues that have contributed to it.

 To that effect, screening the Marathi film Killa was an attempt towards creating safe familial spaces for children in the city. The film initiated a dialogue between children and parents of the resettlement colony on developing a healthy relationship.

 The children in the audience shared how they related to the fear of exams, the bond of friendship, and the excitement with respect to the opposite gender, among other things shown in the film.

 They identified with the 11-year-old protagonist’s struggle to cope with his father’s death and mother’s subsequent job transfer. And spoke about the role of friends in life, the loneliness after shifting to a new place, and the struggle of making new friends.

 “Life is nothing without friends. But it takes a healthy environment to yield good friendships. It is important for children to realize that such bonds can also be developed with family members,” a woman said. “The child in the film was very clear-headed. He understood his mother’s tensions at work and accepted her job transfers with patience.”  

 Another parent conceded that “we also face tensions at work and we often vent it out on our children.” She added that “it is important that parents responsibly spend time with children so they don’t feel neglected and alienated.”

 The children understood the importance of a good relationship between parents and children. And held that both sides need to develop an attitude of understanding for the same.