Community Outreach Program Launched to Support Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being in Schools by Department of Psychology, Punjabi University

Community Outreach Program Launched to Support Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being in Schools by Department of Psychology, Punjabi University

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ November 12,2024

In an effort to address the growing need for mental health resources among adolescents, Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala launched a comprehensive community outreach program at Govt. Co-ed Multipurpose Sr. Sec Smart School, Patiala aimed at promoting mental health and well-being in local schools.

This initiative seeks to create a supportive environment that encourages open conversations around mental health, spread awareness, reduce stigma, and provide students with the tools they need to thrive emotionally and socially in a rapidly evolving society flooded by technology.

The program was hosted by Vijay Kapoor (Principal, Govt. Co-ed, Multipurpose Sr. Sec Smart School, Patiala) and was organized by Prof. Jaswinder Singh Brar(Director, Planning and Monitoring PUP) and Prof. Damanjit Sandhu (Head of Department of Psychology). The chief guest of the program was Isha Singhal (PCS, ADC Development Patiala).
She appreciated the efforts of the Department of Psychology, Punjabi University Patiala for empowering students to take charge of their mental health and providing them with the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges.

With mental health challenges affecting 30-35% of school students, the inaugural program focused on preventive measures, early identification, and intervention of mental health issues. It included Informative lectures by the faculty members of the Department, Prof. Sangeeta Trama, Prof. Harprit Kaur, Prof. Tarika Sandhu, Dr.Sukhminder Kaur, and  Dr. Inderpreet Sandhu who educated students about stress management,  coping strategies, healthy lifestyle, goal-setting,  and commitment to life  tasks as a step towards fostering psychological well-being.

The research scholars, Rosy Malhotra and Mehak facilitated a workshop for time management and relaxation through deep breathing. The students of Department of Psychology also staged a play ‘Zindagi Khoobsurat Hai’ (written and directed by  Anayat) highlighting the issues related to online safety and responsible use of internet.

Prof. Damanjit Sandhu, Head, Department of Psychology, Punjabi University Patiala expressed that the schools have to be the frontline warriors in this mental health epidemic amongst adolescents and mental health programs should be scaled up in the school settings to optimise the development of children.