Enhancing Mental Wellness in Indian School Education: Insights & Developments

Mental Wellness: Policy Perspectives, Need and Scope Presentation by Dr. Sushmita Chakraborty & Dr. Ruchi Shukla Faculty, Manodarpan Cell & DEPFE, NCERT

NEEDS Mental Health and Well-being of School Students Survey, 2022: Frequent mood swings, study-related anxiety, lack of confidence in communication, and reduced social interaction in online classes were key concerns among students. A decline in confidence about physical appearance, satisfaction with personal and school life, and availability of people to share feelings was observed as students moved from middle to secondary stage, alongside an increase in anxiety about studies, examinations, and results. National Mental Health Survey (NMHS, 2016): 10.7% of India s population suffers from mental health issues, with 7.3% of adolescents (13-17 years) affected, and an 80% treatment gap.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:POLICIES NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY, 2020 (NEP) First education policy of the 21st century by Ministry of Education, Government of India NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR FOUNDATIONAL STAGE, 2022 To help in positively transforming the school education system of India as envisioned in NEP 2020, through corresponding positive changes in the curriculum including pedagogy. NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK SCHOOL EDUCATION, 2023 Aim for positive transformations in India s School Curricula

NEP 2020 The National Education Policy, 2020 The Aim of Education to be Holistic, Integrating; Cognitive, Affective and Facilitating to the Psychomotor Aspects of Development. The Purpose of the Education System is to Develop Good Human Beings Capable of Rational Thought and Action, Possessing Compassion and Empathy, Courage and Resilience, Scientific Temper and Creative Imagination, with Sound Ethical Moorings and Values. Teachers will also focus on socio-emotional learning - a critical aspect of any student s holistic development. Teachers will be recognized for novel approaches to teaching that improve learning outcomes in their classrooms.

The National Education Policy, 2020 Envisions: Mental Health and Well-being NEP, 2020, 2.9 NEP, NEP, 2020, 12 2020, 4.28 Optimal Learning Optimal Learning Environments and Environments and Support for Students: Support for Students: The development of The development of capacities that promote capacities that promote student wellness such as student wellness such as fitness, good health, fitness, good health, psycho psycho- -social well social well- - being, and sound ethical being, and sound ethical grounding are also grounding are also critical for high critical for high- -quality learning. learning. Basic training: In health, Basic training: In health, including preventive including preventive health, mental health, health, mental health, good nutrition, personal good nutrition, personal and public hygiene, and public hygiene, disaster response and disaster response and first first- -aid will also be aid will also be included in the curriculum, included in the curriculum, as well as scientific as well as scientific explanations of the explanations of the detrimental and damaging detrimental and damaging effects of alcohol, effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. tobacco, and other drugs. Children are unable to learn Children are unable to learn optimally when they are optimally when they are undernourished or unwell. undernourished or unwell. Hence, the nutrition and Hence, the nutrition and health (including mental health (including mental health) of children will be health) of children will be addressed, through healthy addressed, through healthy meals and the introduction meals and the introduction of well of well- -trained social trained social workers, counsellors, and workers, counsellors, and community involvement into community involvement into the schooling system. the schooling system. quality

Few Key Terms in NEP 2020 Pointing Towards Mental Health and Well-being Holistic development, which includes development in the affective domain/ all round development Psychological and emotional well-being Socio-emotional domain Mental health Psycho-social well-being Academic and career counselling Caring environment 21 Century Skills Possessing qualities like compassion , empathy, courage, resilience etc.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR FOUNDATIONAL STAGE, 2023 Socio-emotional development can lead to improved cognitive and emotional resilience and promote constructive social engagement. Explicit training in socio-emotional skills ensures higher levels of attention and emotional and cognitive regulation that are necessary not only for well-being, empathy towards others, and lower stress, but also leads to increased academic success

NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK SCHOOL EDUCATION, 2023 Development across domains: Socio-emotional Development through Emotional and Personality Development, by understanding role of families and peers Building positive Teacher-student relationships: A safe, positive relationship between Teacher and student is enriching both for cognitive and socio-emotional development Having a system of guidance and counselling would also help Teachers, parents, and administrators to meet needs of different students e.g., difficulties in learning, career and higher education choices, maturation-related issues (adolescence, autonomy, social cohesion), mental health and well-being.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK SCHOOL EDUCATION, 2023 Teachers, Principals, will be required to continue playing the role of guides and counsellors and should get basic education in this regard so they have the required skills and capacities. Considering the ground realities of a vast majority of schools across the country, a successful plan for such support would require an understanding of what kinds of challenges School Teachers, Principals can manage to address and what kinds of events or issues they cannot manage themselves but only direct to professionals outside the ambit of the school

About Manodarpan Manodarpan is an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GoI) under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan , inaugurated by the Hon ble Minister for Education on 21st July, 2020. Objectives: To address the concerns related to mental health and emotional well-being and provide support to students, parents and teachers during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. To facilitate peer support, promote being positive, encourage online learning among students and enhance life skills.

Manodarpan Webpage The webpage includes various resources for promotion of mental well-being among students and other stakeholders, including: Mental Students- A Survey, 2022 Early Identification and Intervention for Mental Health Concerns in School Going Children and Adolescents- Modular Handbook for Teachers and Allied Stakeholders Advisory Guidelines for Students, Parents and Teachers for extending support during online classes and after reopening of schools Motivational posters, podcasts, videos and FAQs Mantarang - A digital collation of Manodarpan activities Directory of Counsellors- Professional Counsellors resource for all stakeholders Health and Well-being of School A database a supportive of as

Key Documents on Mental Health by Manodarpan Mental Health and Well-being of School Students Survey (2022): Conducted on 3,79,842 students (Classes 6-12) across 28 States and 8 UTs; released by MoE on 6th September 2022. Promoting Mental Health and Well-being Guide:Equips teachers with skills to address student mental health across all school stages. Teachers Mental Well-being Survey Report (2024):Explores teachers' stress, challenges, and support systems for informed professional development. Early Identification and Intervention Handbook (2024):Revised with a whole-school approach to prevent mental health concerns and support teachers in student well-being.

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