By Sejal Jakhmola

By addressing the mental health needs of school students, we can promote their overall well-being, academic success, and future prosperity.

Time and again, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining one’s mental wellness along with physical health. Sound mental health in children and adolescents is the foundational block for holistic development and quality economic growth. Mental health, therefore, gains utmost significance in a child’s overall well-being and has a significant impact on their academic performance, logical reasoning, and cognitive development. According to the Economic Survey of India 2023-24, the school education system in India caters to around 26 crore students from various socio-economic backgrounds. Yet, mental health, a principal driving factor for individual and national development, is often overlooked.

Data released by NCERT’s Mental Health and Well-Being of School Students Survey reveals a sense of urgency in addressing mental health issues in students, showcasing an increasing prevalence of poor mental health among adolescents, further deteriorated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftershocks. The survey found that 11% of students reported feeling anxious, 43% experienced mood swings, and 14% felt extreme emotions. In India, since most schools, accounting for 68.7% of the total, are managed by the government, it is imperative to study and understand the current scenario of mental healthcare for students in Indian government schools and analyze the possibilities of achieving better outcomes in managing, improving, and providing timely support to the psychosocial needs of our students.

Uncovering the Causes of Mental Health Issues in Students

Several factors can potentially contribute to mental health problems in school students. Exposure to adversity, pressure to conform to peers, gender norms, violence in the form of domestic abuse and bullying, and adverse socio-economic conditions are some of the recognized risks to mental health in students. Traumatic events may also trigger emotional turmoil in young adolescents. These risk factors may manifest as signs of deteriorating mental health in the form of anxiety, depression, inattentiveness, and social withdrawal.

One primary source of mental health problems in school students is the pressure to perform well and an emphasis on grades and academic achievements. Societal and parental expectations can exacerbate this pressure. Students may feel overwhelmed, fearing failure and disappointing others. Constantly comparing themselves to peers can foster an unhealthy competitive environment and erode self-esteem and confidence.

The overuse of social media and the internet is often linked to an increase in mental health issues in students. Unrestrained and unsupervised use of the internet by adolescents can lead to a range of problems, such as obsessive consumption of social media (doom-scrolling) and severe cases like cyberbullying. Furthermore, the topic of mental health is highly stigmatized. The denial to accept mental health issues as a legitimate ailment is partly due to fear about social attitudes and acceptance after one “comes out” with mental health issues. This further hinders adolescents from seeking professional help.

Data Dive: Government Statistics on Mental Health

In an ambitious attempt to address these issues, the Delhi government partnered with the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) to introduce primary mental health services in schools run under the Directorate of Education. They launched an initiative titled ‘School Mental Health.’ The project’s objective was not only to garner comprehensive insights into the mental health issues of students from classes VI to XII but also to provide crucial support.

Data obtained by the school psychologists working with the project revealed that children display emotional difficulties in various ways, some of which are apparent and impact their learning. Low academic performance, irregular attendance, bullying, and signs of inattention, distractibility, and social disengagement can all indicate internalizing disorders, such as depression or anxiety. On similar lines, fidgeting, impulsivity, anger, and confrontation with peers or teachers are examples of externalizing problems that may indicate attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct behavior disorders. In a significant number of cases, students with mental health problems may engage in high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse.

Similarly, a survey conducted under the Manodarpan initiative of the Ministry of Education in 2022 aimed to understand school students’ perceptions of different aspects of mental health and well-being. A total of 3,79,842 students participated, including 1,06,937 from Kendriya Vidyalayas, 94,034 from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, and 84,705 from state government schools, among others. The survey’s findings revealed key data on students’ responses to aspects of mental health. A whopping 81% cited studies, exams, and results as causes of anxiety. While 43% reported mood swings, another 29% cited a lack of concentration.

However, what makes treating mental health problems in young students difficult is the severe underreporting and lack of timely identification of early signs and symptoms. Moreover, there is a chronic lack of qualified mental health specialists in the Indian mental health system, making it difficult to treat such cases. Added to this is the societal stigma attached to consulting mental health experts. The available data provides a significant picture of the current mental health scenario of school students in India. It gives a crucial vantage point for policymakers to provide solutions in terms of policy intervention.

Quarantined Minds: Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation. According to WHO, the pandemic led to a 25.6% increase in cases of anxiety disorders globally in 2020.

In India, data from the Manodarpan survey revealed that 51% of students faced difficulties in learning content online, and 29% experienced a lack of social interaction in online classes. About one-third of students developed psychosocial problems such as anxiety, anger, and screen addiction. Such mental health problems increase the risk of repeating a grade, truancy, and dropping out of school. Social withdrawal can further worsen the situation, leading to isolation and loneliness.

The effects of quarantine and lockdowns led to inattentiveness, paranoia, panic, and obsessive behavior in adolescents and may even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder in the long term. The loss of family members and loved ones, the fear of contracting the disease, and the longing to meet friends further contributed to psychosocial problems in school students across India.

Government’s Policy interventions for Mental Health

In India, several preventive measures and initiatives have been rolled out as school-based interventions and have proven to have some degree of efficacy. The National Tele Mental Health Programme was launched to improve access to quality mental health counseling and care services in the country. It involves setting up a 24/7 support helpline for psychosocial support offered by expert counselors and child psychologists. Primary healthcare workers are being trained to provide mental health services. Attention is also given to awareness generation activities in the community and schools, with community involvement to discuss mental health issues and promote treatment-seeking behavior.

Under the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram, adolescent-friendly health clinics are being operationalized, offering counseling services and peer education programs. The Central Government has also made judicious use of digital information technology – the ‘Sahyog’ live interactive sessions are held every day for students on the PM e-Vidya channel, focusing on providing guidance for promoting mental well-being among students.

In this direction, an innovative solution offered by policymakers is the Help Desk Program under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which provides a dropbox facility where children can get support for their problems confidentially and trained teachers can identify issues and provide counseling. On the national level, there have been efforts to increase the number of mental health personnel. Three digital academies now provide online training courses to general healthcare medical and paramedical professionals on dealing with mental health.

Yet another initiative under the name SHAPE (School Health Promotion and Empowerment) was designed by Sangath, an NGO in Goa, for students in classes 5th to 12th. The program has yielded positive outcomes for students. Further, the ambitious National Education Policy 2020 gives adequate attention to the mental health of students and calls for a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing the same.

The state mental health policy of Meghalaya outlines plans to train Community Health Centre (CHC) and school staff to provide targeted support to children and adolescents. The Delhi government inaugurated 20 health clinics, named Aam Aadmi School Clinics, as part of a pilot project to focus on the mental well-being and physical health of students. Similarly, the “Our Responsibility to Children” initiative launched in Kozhikode, Kerala, includes teacher, peer, and social mentoring and life skills education to children within schools. These state-level initiatives further complement national efforts in addressing mental health and well-being among students.

Policy Recommendations for a Mentally Healthy Future

There is an utmost need to bring about a paradigm shift and utilize a community approach in addressing the topic of mental health among students. A possible solution to the mental health well-being of students in government schools is to conduct timely screening of students for early warning signs. This will not only ensure early detection of symptoms but also help in providing crucial mental health support to the students. Moreover, there is a need to form strong Teacher-Parent Associations – active involvement of parents in the child’s mental well-being is crucial and helps provide critical emotional support. Schools can work with mental health professionals to conduct quarterly training sessions for parents to learn more about mental health, recognition of signs, and coping strategies.

Furthermore, there is also a need to encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Schools can introduce various workshops, programs, and activities in collaboration with civil society groups and NGOs to help students explore their interests and passions rather than focusing solely on academic achievement. This can help encourage self-expression. Implementation of mindfulness and wellness programs such as yoga can promote stress reduction.

Addressing stigma associated with seeking help for mental health problems is a serious policy concern. It is imperative to understand that much of the resistance to seeking help is associated with misinformation and negative attitudes towards mental illnesses. It is therefore important to sensitize children, parents, and teachers by actively involving NGOs and government agencies. Sensitization programs can be conducted on school premises through the active involvement of mental healthcare professionals. Students and parents can be de-stigmatized by conducting interactive sessions and workshops with experts. Schools also need to increase the ratio of school counselors to students, ensuring accessible support.

A structured fund allocation to schools by the government, targeted solely at promoting the mental well-being of students, can provide the necessary impetus. Using digital information technology and online resources of various kinds can further help the cause. Interactive and informative videos, posters, and even games can help students gain knowledge about mental well-being.

Conclusion

As we strive to create a society that values mental health, we must recognize the critical role played by schools in shaping the minds and hearts of our future generations. Nurturing the mental health of school students is the shared responsibility of various stakeholders, including policymakers, government, parents, teachers, and mental healthcare professionals. Therefore, there is an urgent need for preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care for school students, which in turn requires an adequate resource base. By addressing the mental health needs of school students, we can promote their overall well-being, academic success, and future prosperity. The future of mental healthcare in India begins in the schools themselves, and prioritizing it will create a brighter and more compassionate future for all.

Sejal Jakhmola is a Policy Research and Advocacy Intern at SarkariSchool.in and is currently pursuing her Masters in History from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. Please write your comment at [email protected].

References

• Manodarpan, an initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, to provide psychosocial support to students for their Mental Health and Well-being | COVID-19 Inter-Ministerial Notifications | India. (n.d.). https://covid19.india.gov.in/document/manodarpan-an-initiative-under-atmanirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-to-provide-psychosocial-support-to-students-for-their-mental-health-and-well-being/
• Behanan, Benny, et al. “Mental Health And Emotional Well-being In Schools Under NEP.” Lok Sabha, 5 Feb. 2024, sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/1715/AS35.pdf?source=pqals
• Raman, Vijaya, and Shanti Thomas. “School Mental Health Program in India—Issues and Possible Practical Solutions.” Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, vol. 45, no. 3, Apr. 2023, pp. 283–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176231165033
• Express News Service. “Delhi Govt Launches Aam Aadmi School Clinics for Mental, Physical Wellbeing of Students.” The New Indian Express, 8 Mar. 2022, www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2022/Mar/08/delhi-govt-launchesaam-aadmi-school-clinics-for-mental-physical-wellbeing-ofstudents-2427626.html.
• CHAPTER 07 SOCIAL SECTOR: BENEFITS THAT EMPOWER. In Economic Survey 2023-24. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/eschapter/echap07.pdf