“Mental health” to date is an issue in India that is stigmatized and brushed under the carpet. India has one of the world’s largest suicide rates for school-going children where there is fear and stigma associated with matters related to mental health such as depression, parental pressure, and spotlight anxiety to perform well in tests. 

Should the Indian education system make mental health lectures mandatory for students? 

The Indian Education System is scrutinized for its rigorous and unrealistic expectations that focus on quantitative learning, tiresome hours, and the imposition of a curriculum that curbs the child’s creativity. With the typical narrow-minded mindset of Indian parents of grades being a marker of a child’s intelligence, the students are a victim to deteriorating mental health conditions. 

Creativity and self-growth is the need of the hour in the educational system. This can be achieved by mental health education that eases the stigma around anxiety and depression and encourages students to share their thoughts in an open and safe environment. 

Benefits of mental health education in schools: 

1. Mental health education increases awareness. Students will be more prone to understanding the concept of self-care and wellbeing. They will be encouraged to look after their own health care  and understand their health is in their own hands
2. Children will be well equipped in recognizing mental health disorders and the symptoms they experiences. They can therefore be more proactive and detect their problems at an early stage. Early intervention can make a world of a difference. 
3. They will have exposure to strategies and tools to cope with mental health challenges which would allow them to develop problem-solving skills. 
4. Mental health education can destigmatize the fear and anxiety related to mental health disorders. Through education, we can aim to normalize mental illness and promote conversations around the stigma to diminish the fear once and for all. 

Also published on Medium.