Delhi Govt to Offer Mental Health Counseling in All Government Schools

The Delhi government has mandated mental health check-ups for students in government schools, aiming to enhance their well-being through comprehensive counselling services. This directive follows a successful pilot phase that provided counselling to over 20,000 students across 20 schools.

Mental Health Initiative Expansion

Delhi Education Minister Atishi has instructed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to create a detailed plan to extend these counselling services to all government schools. The pilot phase, which lasted a year, involved Educational and Vocational Guidance Counsellors (EVGC) and school psychologists working closely with students to support their mental health needs.

Atishi highlighted the importance of mental health, stating, "A healthy mind is essential for overall well-being. Through this initiative, we aim to provide better health services to school students, contributing to a healthy society and nation." The initiative aims to ensure timely support for students' mental health needs.

Feedback and Insights

During a session with school psychologists and EVGC counsellors, Atishi gathered feedback on their experiences. The professionals shared insights on how early intervention can address mental health issues and help students reconnect with their studies. They emphasised that children face stress from a young age due to various reasons, which can negatively impact their mental health.

The psychologists noted that there is insufficient awareness about mental health, leading to untreated issues. They stated, "From a young age, children are under stress for various reasons, which can have a negative impact on their mental health. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough awareness about mental health, leading to issues being untreated."

Group Sessions and Social-Emotional Learning

The pilot phase included group sessions and social-emotional learning programs designed to help students manage stress and maintain emotional health. These programs played a crucial role in supporting the students' mental well-being.

The statement also mentioned that the minister met with school psychologists and EVGC counsellors to discuss their experiences and gather feedback. The professionals are identifying problems in children through teachers and counselling and working to address them.

This initiative underscores the Delhi government's commitment to improving the mental health of its students by providing comprehensive support services in schools.