The Necessity for Emotional Support of Severely Diseased Children: A World-Wide Role Model from Iran

Losing hair can create emotions ranging from anger to depression. Some children feel very selfconscious going out in public, and others are concerned that their appearance will affect their relationship with classmates and even loved ones. In one study the children with alopecia were anxious, depressed, withdrawn, aggressive, or delinquent. Girls were more affected than boys[2]. In another study, seven of 12 children with alopecia areata met the criteria for anxiety disorders[3]. Herein, we report a teacher's phenomenal psychological support of a student who has lost all his hair due to chemotherapy, moving Iran's president also. Mohammad Ali Mohammadian, the teacher of second grade in a primary school in Marivan, Kurdistan Province, Iran has shaved off his hair in toto to sympathize with his pupil, Mahan[4]. The student has lost all his hair due to chemotherapy and was also suffering severely from being mocked by his fellow students[4,5]. Mohammad Ali has said: "Teaching is the occupation of prophets and the main task of teachers is to teach morality and humanity. To perform this task well, we should dedicate ourselves fully. Children have a delicate and very kind soul and they should be taught how to express it, so that in the near future they endeavor to help their fellow creatures through expressing love and kindness[5].” Being moved by this act, the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, has ordered the appreciation of this humane teacher and also the careful consideration of Mahan and his family's situation, including covering his medical costs[4,5].