Disclaimer: The following article may contain words and themes that are emotionally sensitive. Please read with caution. This material is for awareness purposes only.
Teachers in Chandigarh were asked to treat the Mental Health crisis like a war to protect the well-being of their students by Chief of Army General V P Malik. He also added that mental health awareness must begin early for students from a school-level to fight the challenges caused by exposure to phones and digital addiction. The visit was a review of existing initiatives for student wellness under Project SAATHI, launched by the Chandigarh Citizens Initiative in 2025 after witnessing student suicides.
Reports have ranked India high on the scale of youth suicides with an estimated 13,000 student deaths every year. Chandigarh witnessed seven suicide deaths in 2024 and 2025 which brought forth this project to create sustained actionable interventions to strengthen suicide-prevention frameworks across the city. It is also especially to prevent students from considering such a deadly step by creating awareness as well as environments that are empathetic and engaging.
Read More: Inside India’s Suicide Crisis: Why Metro Cities Are Becoming Hubs of Despai
Training School Staff in Mental Health Awareness
The project called in staff of Government Medical College Chandigarh (GMCH) and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh to train 87 school counselors, including 21 master trainers. The sessions have been initiated in selected government schools through partnering organizations. The sessions have so far covered over 3,000 students in classes 7,8 and 9 across four schools. During a brainstorming session between medical professionals and school counselors, these major mental health concerns were discussed.
- Sexual, physical and mental abuse
- Mental illness in parent
- Parent separation
- Exposure to violence
- Substance abuse
- Low socio-economic status
- Bullying
- Behavioral screen-time addiction
- Relationships
- Exam and career anxiety driven by parents and self-expectations
- Domestic violence
- Self-image and eating disorders
Read More: A Counsellor in Every School: Inside CBSE’s Landmark 2026 Notification
Special Focus on Yoga
The project has also trained 35 teachers in Yoga with online evening teacher sessions set to begin soon. The project will focus on Yoga as an effective tool to strengthen children from within so that all the other interventions have a better effect. The special yoga classes for teachers will focus on stress reduction, physical strain relief, improving posture and voice, burnout reduction and a wellness-positive school culture.
Benefits of Yoga for Students
India is the land of Yoga and in recent years, its benefits have slowly spread from corporate work spaces to schools and educational institutions. Introducing it to create mentally resilient school environments brings physiological, cognitive and emotional benefits. Yoga has been found to improve sleep, energy and immunity while strengthening respiratory and cardiovascular efficiency. It also increases focus, memory and attention while creating better emotional balance. It has proven to reduce anxiety and mental tension while improving efficiency, clarity, decision-making and interpersonal skills.
Read More: Yoga and Meditation Practitioners Deal with Negative Emotions More Effectively
Holistic Integration of Mind-Body Activities
The project is planning to introduce engaging games that are mindful and will create the foundation for learning the yoga practices. They will intentionally create an environment where the students feel happy, free, alert and mindful. The core objectives of these sessions will be to improve students emotional and physical well-being, develop positive thinking, empathy and ethical values, improve resilience and concentration while encouraging teamwork, creativity and leadership. It will also promote responsible digital behaviour, healthy lifestyles and civic sense. The entire curriculum is designed on a Horizontal-Vertical Integration Model including core themes that are designed to improve happiness index, reduce stress and boost positive moods. There is also dance, music and social skill development.
- Self-Awareness Identity
- Power of Thoughts and Emotions
- Digital Discipline
- Nutrition and Health
- Relationships
- Values and Character Building
- Environment and Sustainability
- Nation and Social Responsibility
- Time Management and Study Skills
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Creativity and Innovation
- Reflection, Growth and Future Goals
- Music and Sound Therapy
- Creative and Movement Meditation
- Healing Arts and Creative Expression
- Literature, Storytelling and Reading Circles
- Sports, Yoga and Mind-Body Practices
- Motivational Talks
Conclusion
This move highlights the importance of holistic model integration in schools that focuses on mental well-being besides academic success that often comes with heavy stress for young minds. It is proof of how the dedication and commitment to improve and assess mental health frameworks in the country can effectively help in healing the large scar that exists today and is taking young, innocent lives.
Read More: How Academic Pressure and Grades Affect Students’ Self-Worth
References +
- CCF https://chandigarhcitizensfoundation.com/mental-health-students/
- HT https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/project-saathi-creating-safe-spaces-mental-health-support-for-ut-students-101792173692074-amp.html
- TOI https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/treat-mental-health-crisis-like-a-war-win-it-general-vp-malik-tells-city-educators/articleshow/135002883.cms
