XII Grade Student,

Shri Ram School Aravali SIYA ARORA [email protected]

THIS GUIDE IS IN CONSULTATION

Mindful
WITH
Dr Niharika - MA Clinical Psychologist- Hope
and Strength Initiative (HASI), FeelingsForward
Dr Bhavna Varmi - Snr. Clinical Psychologist
and Child Psychologist, PhD, Mphil (Nimhans,
Bangalore) - Fortis hospital and Happiness

Sxhool
Studios
Mr. Prabhat Kumar - National Thematic
Manager - Child Protection Save The Children
Dr. Poojashivam Jaitly- Clinical psychologist

WHAT - BACKGROUND HERE'S WHY:

Schools play a vital role in helping Students in India report increasing
students make healthy lifestyle choices rates of internalising difficulties,
and supporting well-being. Students particularly anxiety and depression.
require critical thinking skills to The majority of them have returned to
understand the influences of peer school having experienced some level
pressure, advertising, social media, of stress, anxiety, isolation and grief
family and cultural values. In these over the past two years. School
transitioning times due to the teachers and personnel are critical in
prevailing pandemic children are on supporting children's transition back
the receiving end. to in-person classroom learning and
thier emotional well being,
particularly after extended periods of
HERE’S HOW- THE GUIDE school closure.
Drawing from insights and interviews
with professionals in the field of A survey with 100 students across
counselling and mental health, this different schools in Delhi-NCR
guide serves as a toolkit to help teachers showed the urgency and importance
and schools address student mental of schools and teachers acknowledging
health, which may turn out to be one of and making efforts to tackle mental
the most pressing challenges of this well-being among students with over
generation. 85% acknowledging impacted mental
The objective is to create mass health.
awareness around mental health issues,
identify and reach out to those
impacted, sensitise schools and teachers
by sharing simple tips and provide
access to resources as necessary.
 GUIDE FOR TEACHERS

1. Key indicators to identify mental 4. Social anxiety

health challenges in students Conduct informal class activities and
Observe if there is change in students discussions to help create a relaxed
behaviour, academic performance, environment
participation, and attendance. Divide students into small groups and
Notice how students are among peer groups- or provide them with individual responsibilities
if they are zoned out/ isolated? Keep in touch with latest trends -it allows
Low mood, changes in appetite, sleep patterns, students to relate better by discussing topics
loss of interest or pleasure in things around you, like the latest trends in music, mental health,
tiredness or loss of energy, thoughts of self- or social media
harm, loss of confidence, feeling frustration.

2. Initial steps 5. Bullying/ social isolation

Start communication and use positive Show the victim support through words and
statements such as, “I'm here when you want to actions like, “I’m here for you and we will
talk”, “You’ve missed a few of my classes, is make sure there are consequences”
there anything you want to talk about?” Scolding is not always the solution; it is
Approach students individually rather than important to understand the background and
singling them out in large groups cause
Share personal experiences in classes or with Approach both the bully and the victim
individual students, which encourages them to individually and confidentially
speak up as well Common signs of bullying: reluctance to
attend school/ online classes, complaints of
ill health/ aches and pains that are not
3. Stress and pressure - in class
related to other illnesses, irritability and
and exams withdrawal more than usual, secretiveness,
Conduct group activities to motivate students avoiding contact more than usual, has
and build comfort injuries that they try to hide, is more
Have mindful interactions with students - Be cautious or scared than usual.
sensitive towards students in these times
Try different methods of learning to build
confidence in students such as visual, auditory, 6. Comfortable class
reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Appreciation is the most crucial and
Frequently appreciate students through positive motivating factor
statements such as, “That’s the incorrect answer Avoid harsh words such as “I'm disappointed
but thank you for trying” or “Thank you for in you”, “you have potential but you don't use
such neat work.” it”- instead say “how can i help you reach your
1: 1 dialogue with students who seem inactive or full potential”
don’t tend to submit their work. Make light or humour to make the student
Verbalise how exams are a challenge everyone relate to you more and help them open up
faces and students are not alone Encourage informal classroom discussions to
Provide practice papers and solve them through make students comfortable
class discussions Movies/ documentaries break the monotony
Encourage group studies outside of school of regular classroom discussions
Integrate mental health topics into discussions
Break down assessments- Example: half chapter
and share personal or relatable examples.
test or 5 minute oral test.
Remind students its not about results but
putting in the hard work
 SIX STEPS FOR SCHOOLS

1. Influence through Influencers

Circulate mental health content by influencers that students follow - Key Message:
It’s okay to go through a tough time mentally, all of your idols have as well.
For Example: Travis Scott opened up about depression and mental illness, during
an interview with Show Studio.
Deepika Padukone on going public with depression diagnosis

2. Posters throughout school

Post digital/physical posters throughout school. For example: “5 steps to ground
yourself”, “What to do when you feel low”, “When should you seek help for mental
health issues?”, etc.

3. Ambassadors
Create a strong internal team/network of mental health first aiders- Mental
Wellbeing Ambassadors (MWAs)- to provide support and guidance.
Partner with an external organisation to professionally train the ambassadors.

4. Anonymous reporting
Institute an online form/ drop box for students to report mental health issues and
safely inform faculty about self/other students who may require mental health
assistance

5. Internal resource group

Provide resources for counselling therapists and mental health aid to all parents
through emails, fliers, or workshops

6. Partnerships
Explore training and speaking partners like:
HASI: for programs that aim at equipping teachers with mental health awareness
and basic skills to recognize and manage mental distress in themselves and others.
Deepika Padukone’s The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) initiatives “You
Are Not Alone” school programme, which increases students’ and teachers’
awareness about mental health and reduces stigma around the subject.
 INFORMATION AND
RESOURCES
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about observing what the other person is doing in a non-judgmental
way and about staying present in the moment during your conversations.

Some exercises to combat anxiety and panic

attacks for self and students
Box breathing:
1. Breath in counting to 4 slowly. Feel the air enter your
lungs
2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds. Try to avoid inhaling or
exhaling.
3. Slowly exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds
4. Repeat till you feel re- centred
Five senses:
1. Acknowledge 5 things you see around
you
2. 4 things you can touch around you
3. 3 things you hear
Libre Baskerville
4. 2 things you can smell
5. 1 thing you can taste

When someone is having a panic attack

First ensure their safety by guiding them to a place away from roads or stairways and
help them sit down. A panic attack is a way for our body to release excess emotions
and energy saved in the form of stress, so it's okay to release this pent up energy and
let it flow out. One way to orient and centre the person through this process is to hold
their hands, make eye contact with them and ask them to follow your breathing
pattern (box breathing).

HELPLINE INFORMATION:
HOPE AND STRENGTH INITIATIVE: +91 9810641688 (Shalini Gupta) | Email:
[email protected] | Website: www.hopeandstrengthinitiative.com/
COOJ MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION: 0832-2252525 | Email:
[email protected]
PARIVARTHAN: +91-7676 602 602 | Website: www.parivarthan.org
CONNECTING TRUST: +91-992 200 1122 | +91-992 200 4305 | Website:
https://connectingngo.org