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Haryana schools launch mental health support for students
3 Nov
Summary
- New mental health system for students in Classes 6-12 in Haryana.
- Initiative involves health, education departments, and community.
- Five-stage support system from classroom to psychiatric care.
Haryana is initiating a comprehensive school-based mental health support system for students in Classes 6 to 12, under its proposed SATH-E project. This proactive measure aims to identify psychological difficulties early, including examination stress, anxiety, depression, and issues related to bullying and excessive screen use.
The initiative establishes a coordinated mechanism drawing from both the health and school education departments. It involves teachers, parents, student volunteers, and mental health professionals like counsellors, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists. Different approaches will be used for younger (Classes 6-8) and older (Classes 9-12) students, respecting their distinct developmental needs.
To facilitate this, 122 counsellors have been trained by the health department. These counsellors will collaborate with two designated teachers in 200 selected government schools, creating a network of approximately 400 trained teachers. These teachers will receive structured training on identifying mental distress and referral processes, building a robust school-based network.
The support framework includes a five-stage referral mechanism. It begins with class teachers observing and supporting students, progressing to designated clinics for psychological assessment, and ultimately to mental health clinics for psychiatric evaluation and treatment when necessary.
