Sri Vijaya Puram, April 23: Concerns around child mental health and emotional wellbeing were addressed through a structured awareness initiative conducted at RGT Public School, bringing together social welfare authorities, civil society partners, and school stakeholders to promote supportive learning environments.
The Mental Health Awareness Programme was jointly organised by the State Child Protection Society (SCPS) in collaboration with Pankh NGO, with a focus on building awareness among children and encouraging open discussion around emotional health challenges faced in school settings.
The programme aimed to strengthen understanding of mental health among students while promoting a safe and supportive environment where children can express concerns without hesitation and seek guidance when required.
During the event, the Director (Social Welfare) highlighted the importance of mental well-being in childhood development and encouraged the continuation of similar initiatives across schools and Child Care Institutions to ensure wider outreach and sustained engagement.
A speech competition formed a key part of the programme, where students actively participated and shared their perspectives on mental health. Their participation was acknowledged through distribution of prizes and consolation awards to encourage engagement and awareness building.
The Nodal Officer of the Mission Vatsalya Scheme emphasized the need for safe school environments where students feel secure in expressing emotional or personal concerns. The focus remained on strengthening trust-based support systems within educational institutions.
The founder of Pankh NGO addressed the students and distributed prizes, encouraging them to focus on self-care, emotional resilience, and the importance of seeking help without hesitation when facing difficulties.
Further guidance was provided by a Probation Officer, who spoke on stress management, maintaining a positive mindset, and the role of communication in addressing emotional challenges. The session also included information on various welfare schemes under the department, aimed at supporting children and families.
The Programme Manager of SCPS noted that similar awareness programmes will continue to be conducted in schools and Child Care Institutions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen child protection and mental health awareness frameworks.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Principal of RGT Public School, as stated in a press release issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare.
The initiative reflects growing institutional attention towards child mental health and the need for early intervention, awareness, and structured support systems within school ecosystems.
