Today, India boasts of the highest population of children and adolescents in the world which makes addressing mental well - being in students not only a priority but an imperative. As a resilient mind serves as the bedrock of academic excellence and overall personal growth, it is significant to recognize and meet the challenges faced by students on this front.
As per National Crimes Report Bureau, some 10,335 students died by suicide in 2019 and this figure rose to 13,044 in 2022. Recently, Karnataka Government Committee recommended open book exams in higher education to reduce the stress among students. But are we missing the elephant in the room, here? Of how to address the varied mental health issues rising phenomenally among our youngsters. Depression, anxiety, the constant pressure to do better than their peers and more in an ever increasing competitive world is pushing young minds into a corner from where their cries for help get lost in the madding crowd racing for shiny degrees and impeccable work profile.
Often family and friends miss symptoms of distress which points to a deep-rooted
mental health issue which at times drives students to take extreme steps.
So, lets list a few challenges faced in addressing mental well-being in our schools:
Stigma: Mental illness and issues are often frowned upon by our society as a sign of weakness. This prevents students from openly communicating their emotions.
Lack of awareness: on varied forms of mental health issues among students ranging from anxiety, social isolation, substance use etc.
Lack of resources: As per a study, India only has 0.75 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 patients which is much lower than the recommended 3 per 1,00,000.
Lack of accessibility: to mental health services in schools and communities, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural areas.
Solutions to enhance mental well-being among students:
Need of the hour is to address the root causes such as academic pressure, lack of emotional support, combating bullying and accessibility.
This involves curriculum reforms, promoting mental health literacy and counselling services within educational institutions.
A case in point is of IIT Guhawati whose SAATHI Counselling Club in alignment with the Ministry of Education's guidelines provides support to at-risk students. It consists of student volunteers of the institute to support fellow students in their overall well-being with the help of professional counsellors.
Another model is of Bhutan Goverment where as part of their health programme , Class 11 and 12 students across the country were screened for mental health and substance abuse to provide for a timely intervention
Hence, it drives home the necessity that schools should integrate mental health screening, provide peer support networks and also train their staff, teachers and parents and equip them with the desired resources to recognize and address early signs of distress.
Policy makers on their part need to enhance funding for mental health infrastructure and research.
Positive family relationships and dynamics, emotional support and effective communication patterns can protect children from developing mental health issues.
A supportive school environment by provision of stress management exercises like 'happy hour' in Delhi Government Schools have had encouraging results. Increasing engagement in extra curricula activities and enhancing communication between students and teachers is a must.
Therefore, it is crucial to recognize mental health as a complex and multifaceted issue that needs a holistic approach involving various stakeholders to ensure students thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
While National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes the importance of emotional well - being, we need to recognize this complex issue which has now grown into a full blown pandemic. 'As children aren't just our future, they are also our present'.
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