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Mental Health Week. CBSE students to create safe spaces, foster ethics, teaching stress management to support students. Time to combat, mental health issues: 44.1% HS students suffer depression

Mental Health Week

**CBSE students to create safe spaces, foster ethics, and teach stress management to support students**  

**Time to combat mental health issues: 44.1% of HS students suffer from depression**  
**TINA KHATRI**

With an increase in the prevalence of poor mental health among adolescents, as shown in various surveys including NCERT’s and the National Mental Health Survey 2 (NMHS 2), CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) schools are implementing special initiatives to address these issues. Studies in India reveal a significant 44.1% prevalence of depression among higher secondary school students, as reported in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine. The Economic Survey 2024 highlights that the rise in mental health concerns among children and adolescents is often linked to excessive internet use, particularly social media. Unrestricted and unsupervised internet access can lead to various problems, including compulsive social media consumption or "doom scrolling," as well as more serious issues like cyberbullying.

*— TINA KHATRI, Journalist*

In response, school principals and experts are working to develop coping strategies for students.

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**Causes of Mental Health Issues Among Students**  
Many students report high levels of stress related to academic pressures, competition, and societal expectations. Mental health issues can arise from various factors, including academic pressure, excessive social media use, and family dynamics. Intense competition in schools often leads to anxiety, while social media can foster feelings of inadequacy and contribute to cyberbullying. Additionally, family conflict and peer pressure significantly impact teenagers’ well-being. Trauma, hormonal changes, and identity struggles further contribute to mental health challenges.

*— Dr. Abhyudaya Verma, Endocrinologist*

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**Open Communication with Safe Spaces**  
Fostering open communication about feelings, especially regarding phone use, is essential for supporting students' mental health. We aim to create safe spaces for students to share their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. Facilitating discussions where they can express their challenges related to phone use is crucial. We will also establish feedback mechanisms, such as anonymous suggestion boxes, to allow students to share their experiences and successes in managing phone time. By actively listening and adapting our programs based on their feedback, we can cultivate a supportive environment that prioritizes emotional well-being.

*— UK Jha, CBSE Coordinator & Principal of Ekayanaa School*

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**Importance of Teaching Stress Management**  
We emphasize the importance of stress management and mindfulness for students. Advocating practices such as Sudarshan Kriya, which includes specific breathing techniques, helps them manage stress and anxiety while fostering mental clarity and calmness. Additionally, we encourage the integration of mindfulness into daily activities, enabling students to stay present and focused, thereby reducing feelings of overwhelm.

*— Kanchan Tare, Principal of Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM)*

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**Essential Moral & Ethical Education in Schools**  
Incorporating ethics and values like compassion, empathy, and gratitude into the curriculum fosters a supportive school environment. These values enhance emotional intelligence—compassion promotes care for others, empathy encourages understanding of peers' feelings, and gratitude fosters a positive outlook. Schools will reinforce ethical education as an integral part of the academic curriculum, cultivating a culture of kindness and support to benefit all students.

*— Nisha Ahmad, Director of Internationalism at The Emerald Heights International School*

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