Following a mental health survey among school children, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued guidelines advising every school to launch a mental health advisory panel. This health programme can help maintain and better the mental wellbeing of students and should be chaired by the principal and should have a team of teachers, parents, students and alumni as members. It will work towards spreading awareness and enforcing a gender- and age-appropriate mental health programme.
Since most mental health concerns emerge by the time an individual is 14, and three-quarters of them appear by the time they turn 25, it is imperative that teachers–as primary caregivers–are informed about how to recognize early signs. They must be trained in spotting attachment issues, anxiety patterns, separation anxiety, school refusal, communication issues, conduct-related issues, excessive internet use and learning disabilities. Teachers should talk about bullying cases in class and empower children by educating them on ways to deal with it. Additionally, students should have access to a confidential way to report any incident that concerns them.
There should be a facility to identify behaviour, substance abuse, self-harm, depression, developmental concerns as well as provide first aid and referrals as and when required. The survey listed out examinations, results and peer pressure as three of the major factors for stress and anxiety among school-going children. Since schools are where students usually spend one-third of their day and 220 of those in a year, they need to be centres of safety and security for children. For residential schools, the guidelines have declared that since the time spent in school is even more than a day school, it is the management’s responsibility to ensure the safety, security, health, and well-being of all children.