Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has introduced a new mental health initiative, "MITRA – Mental Health Initiative for Promotion, Prevention, and Redressal," focused on providing counseling services to students across the city.
The program aims to address the mental health needs of students, offering timely guidance and creating safe spaces in schools for open discussions about academic stress, bullying, family issues, and other challenges.
To support students facing various personal and academic issues, "School Health Facilitators," or counselors, have been appointed under this initiative.
Funded by Bajaj's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the initiative covers over 5,500 students across 19 secondary schools in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area.
The collaboration with the mental health organization "Sangath School Mental Health" ensures that students have access to professional counseling services.
The appointed School Health Facilitators visit the schools once or twice a week, engaging directly with students to understand the challenges they face and providing them with advice on mental health, hygiene, and study habits.
The program also organizes various activities and competitions, including poster-making, drawing, and public speaking, to help students explore their creativity and develop leadership skills.
PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, "Our children are our future, and their mental health is of utmost importance. We are committed to providing them with a supportive environment and the necessary resources to face both personal and academic challenges. Insights gained from this initiative will also be applied to help students in primary schools."
Deepali Gawhale, one of the counselors, expressed her satisfaction with the initiative's progress, saying, "It is crucial for students to have healthy mental well-being, and I am pleased that we have been able to provide them with the right support.
This initiative has not only benefited students but has also had a positive impact on teachers, leading to noticeable changes in behavior and attitudes."
The MITRA initiative represents a significant step toward improving student mental health in the region, addressing the growing concern for their well-being in the face of increasing academic and personal pressures.
