Author: Priya Anand, Head of School, Mount Litera School International
Schoolwide Mental Health Programmes ensure that the school community is taking measures to provide students with varied and appropriate tools at their disposal to rise above and face various challenges head-on.
Students are facing unprecedented challenges and pressures in their lives. They are confronted with various stressors with no means to effectively manage these circumstances leaving them vulnerable to mental health concerns.
Schoolwide Mental Health Programmes ensure that the school community is taking measures to provide students with varied and appropriate tools at their disposal to rise above and face various challenges head-on. This proactive, preventive approach inculcates empathy, resilience and a growth mindset- traits that are
valued in professional and personal spheres alike. These programs also normalise helpseeking behaviour and challenge stigmas associated with mental health.
of mental health is carried out by all departments. It also suggests SMHPs should follow a PPEI approach and schools should introduce activities which teach children empathy, communication and issue resolution. This implies that the framework of the curriculum and the infrastructure of the school (Playgrounds, size of the class, student-to-teacher ratio) should support mental health as well.
WHO has also suggested a targeted initiative for children with mental health issues and the development of a two-pronged approach for all children to sensitize students about mental health. These recommendations however have yet to be implemented by the government. As India has a federal structure, the educational responsibility is shared by Central and State governments.
Hence the formulation of an effective SMHP will require effective communication and coordination between
the Centre and State, attention to the sentiments of diverse cultures, communities, religions, socioeconomic diversities and topographic factors. It will also require experts who have inexhaustible knowledge about Indian law, Indian people and people knowing about the current conflict of interests existing in the nation.
