Lucknow: Anupama Checker, Principal of CMS Asharfabad, Lucknow, recognized the mounting stress and digital overload impacting students and took proactive steps to address these concerns by organizing a mental health workshop.
Held on September 6, 2024, at the CMS Asharfabad Campus, the workshop was led by Gaurav Srivastava, CEO and Founder of Innersoul Wellbeing Pvt. Ltd., and Dr. Shujat Haider Jafri, CEO and Founder of Stufit. Innersoul Wellbeing Pvt. Ltd. provides mental health and well-being expertise to various sectors, while Stufit offers health screening programs for schoolchildren in India.
This workshop aimed to raise awareness among students in grades 9-12 about mental and emotional well-being. It highlighted the importance of addressing mental health through practical steps that can significantly improve overall wellness.
A key feature of the workshop was the “How Are You?” campaign, which encourages taking a brief pause before answering this common question. This practice fosters mindfulness and self-awareness, allowing individuals to reflect on their feelings before responding.
The session differentiated between mental and emotional health: mental health focuses on cognitive functions such as concentration, while emotional health relates to feelings and responses. Many students voiced concerns about concentration issues, often linked to excessive internet use. The workshop offered strategies for managing concentration, including setting designated study times, reducing screen time, and taking regular breaks.
The workshop also tackled the stress associated with academic performance and the heavy use of the internet for studying and entertainment. Emphasis was placed on prioritizing tasks and setting aside time for relaxation.
Students actively engaged in the session, discussing their mental health challenges, sharing their stress management strategies, and practicing meditation techniques with enthusiasm. The workshop provided practical tools for managing mental health, promoting self-awareness, and incorporating simple exercises like breathing and meditation to enhance overall well-being.
It also addressed real-world issues such as academic pressure and aggression, offering actionable strategies to help students maintain balance in their daily lives.
