Hapur Health Department Screens 85 Students in Mental Health Camp

The Hapur Health Department launched a mental health awareness and screening programme at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Kuchesar Chopla to mark World Mental Health Day. The programme also marked the beginning of Mental Health Week organised by the department.

The initiative was held with a special focus on children’s mental health. Dr Navneet Rohilla, NCD nodal officer, has set the goal of giving particular attention to the mental health of children. As part of this effort, the Mental Diseases Department team from the district hospital organised an awareness programme and screening camp at the school.

The programme covered 85 students, 14 teachers and the remaining support staff of the institution. During the camp, all the students were screened for mental health-related concerns.

This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set the theme for World Mental Health Day as “जीवन के अनुभवों को सुना जाए-वास्तविक आवाजें, वास्तविक बदलाव”, meaning that life experiences should be heard, with real voices leading to real change. The theme aims to give an important place in the development of mental health services and policies to the voices and experiences of people who have faced mental health-related problems.

Dr Anshu Som, psychotherapist, conducted a detailed awareness session for the students on rising stress, depression, mobile and screen addiction, and their impact on mental health. She encouraged the students to identify the early signs of stress, express their emotions and seek help from a specialist in time whenever necessary.

Dr Mugdha Upadhyay, clinical psychologist, shared detailed information on anger, irritability and behavioural problems among children. She also spoke about the role of families and values in children’s development.

Dr Upadhyay underlined the role of parents and teachers in supporting children. She stressed the importance of communication, understanding and positive behaviour while dealing with children and addressing their concerns.

All the teachers of the school took active part in the programme. They asked expert doctors questions about mental health, children’s behaviour and various problems related to the students, and received detailed information.

The school’s entire teaching and non-teaching staff remained present during the programme along with the team from the Health Department.