By Gargi Dagar

The first two decades of life are a critical period for the development of foundational competencies that can shape a learner’s mental health trajectories. At this particular stage of rapid development and learning, children and adolescents are highly susceptible to environmental influences. Experiences and environments can harm mental health. Or they can be shaped to promote and protect it. The best schools in Gurgaon are found to be working towards the development of their learners so that they can meet their academic goals along with mentally & emotionally staying fit.

The following pillars are the basic components of mental health and well-being: 

  1. Create an enabling learning environment for positive mental health and well-being: Through developing and implementing school-based mental health and psychosocial support policies informed by learners’ needs, voices, and capacities; and embedding mental health literacy and social and emotional learning in the curricula, from early childhood through to adolescence.
  2. Access to early intervention and mental health services and support: Schools may ensure a well-defined process to guide learners and teachers concerned about the mental health of a learner or teacher. Early intervention helps in providing timely support to learners & their families. Learners’ learning process is molded to suit their needs with timely interventions.
  3. Promote teacher well-being: Ensuring that there are policies, strategies, and services in place to support the mental health and well-being of teachers and non-teaching staff and all involved in the care and support of learners in schools (including caregivers).
  1. Ensure meaningful collaboration between the school, family, and community: To build a safe and nurturing learning environment that creates a sense of belonging for every learner. Emphasizing the need for strong and frequent communication between learners, caregivers, and teachers, to align understanding of the strengths and needs, and build complementary strategies and support mechanisms between the home and educational setting to meet those needs. Learners and families are active agents in their well-being and bring their skills and resources for coping and building resiliency. 
  2. School-based mental health programs: MHP inclusive schools and understanding specific needs of children and adolescents of all genders and abilities, with focused attention to children and adolescents with mental health conditions. Structural factors such as prevailing beliefs, norms, and values – especially concerning gender, disability, race, and sexuality – can influence learners’ experiences in schools. 

Schools can support students to develop:

  • social and emotional skills and capabilities that promote life-long mental health and wellbeing
  • skills to problem-solve and manage the normal stressors of life
  • healthy relationships and the ability to work cooperatively with others
  • a sense of autonomy and purpose

Mental health is fundamental to good health and well-being and is critical to children’s learning, development, and thriving. The benefits of better mental health extend beyond psychological well-being itself, from social equity and inclusion to economic growth and prosperity. School is one such learning environment where including mental health support at an early age, makes learners ready for uncertainty. Top Gurgaon schools are not only academically driven but also are focused on providing learning opportunities that make learners ready for life challenges.

At Vega Schools’, we emphasize the promotion of well-being by being an inclusive school.