Fellowship of Christian Care Professionals (FCCP) Talk

Synopsis: In a survey done in 2007, entitled "Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Singaporean Children based on Parent, Teacher and Child Reports" it was found that about 17.2% of primary school children in Singapore have symptoms of depression. This indicates that about 172,000 children and teenagers in Singapore may be depressed.  Depression is a complicated illness with many different symptoms and causes and is one of the most important predictors of suicide.

In this talk, we will explore the following:

- the causes of depression in children and teenagers

-the difference between children/teenage depression and adult depression

-the diagnosis of depression- how it is made

-a survey of treatment methods

-understanding the way cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT) matches the clinical phenomenology of depression

-How is CBT different from pastoral counselling for depression? Are these approaches in conflict with each other?

-the necessary skills or qualities a counselor need to assess and help depressed children and teenagers

-the extent a Christian counselor imposes his/her Christian values

-identify and challenge assumptions interfering with behaviour change

-sharing of experiences and advice in treating patients with depression

About the Speaker:

Dr Daniel Fung is the Chief, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health and a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist with the Child Guidance  Clinic, Singapore. He is the Director of Clinical Quality in IMH and is also Programme Director of COPES, a specialised psyhcoeducational service for children with learning difficulties.