Child and adolescent psychiatry in-patient facility

The short-term in-patent facility of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore is described. Its clientele over one year is reviewed. Totally 152 admissions were made. Hysterical neurosis (30.8%), Psychoses (25.2%), Conduct disorder (10.5%) and Hyperkinetic syndrome (9.8%) were the most common diagnoses observed in this population who needed short-term intervention. Average duration of stay was 4-12 weeks. All children were admitted with a parent. In 95.8% of the cases the treatment expenses were borne partially/fully by the hospital. The policy and functioning of the facility is discussed.