Understanding issues confronting students
By: Arshid Qalmi
Many of the students find school and life in general presenting an endless list of challenges and demands. From personal issues and difficulties in learning to bullying and selection of courses, life can be difficult for students. It is estimated that around 20% of the world’s adolescents have a mental health or behavioural problem. Of these 50% of mental, behavioural and psychological problems have their onset during adolescence period (Kessler, et-al, 2005).There is growing evidence of increased psychological problems in children and adolescents especially behaviour problems and suicides. The prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders in India is 12.5% among children aged 0-16 years and 12% among the 4-16 year’s children (Srinata, et-al, 2005).
Students may suffer from variety of psychological, emotional and academic issues. A school counsellor is there to help. The basic role of a school counsellor is to support students in their psychological, academic, and social development. However, the work of a school counsellor can be huge. At the one end, the school counsellor may provide socio-emotional support to a first-grade student, and at the other end, they may collaborate with the administrative team on a behavioural intervention program. A study (Popov and Spasenovic 2020) showed that the key elements of school counsellinginclude supporting the psychological, academic, and social development of students, resolving conflicts between all actors in school life, helping students face personal problems, consulting with students, parents, teachers, and principals and coordinating various school activities.
Currently scenario of school counselling in India is mixed. While there is an increasing awareness of the importance of mental health and student well-being, the availability and quality of school counselling services varies widely across the country. In some urban and private schools, there are dedicated counselling departments with trained counsellors. These schools may also have tie-ups with mental health professionals to refer students who need more intensive support. However, in many other schools, there may be no formal counselling services available, or the counselling services provided may be inadequate. School counsellors may have limited training and resources, and may be expected to take on additional responsibilities beyond their role as counsellors. Despite these challenges, there are efforts underway to improve the availability and quality of school counselling services in India.
The government is increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health and well-being in schools, and there are initiatives to train and hire more school counsellors. In addition, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and mental health professionals are working with schools to provide counselling services and to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in education. The National Education Policy 2020 places a strong emphasis on the mental health and well-being of students in India. By focusing on a holistic approach to education, introducing life skills, providing training for teachers, and partnering with mental health professionals. It also aims to ensure that students are able to thrive both academically and emotionally.
Like rest of the country, the scenario of counselling in schools is not much different. But a ray of hope is awakened after the COVID 19 break up when Directorate of School Education Kashmir engaged in service teachers as teacher counsellors particularly those having academic background in psychology in every district for on-call counselling of students under ‘student outreach program’ initiated by DSEK in view of Covid-19 pandemic. DSEK roped in professional counsellors and mental health experts from various departments and organizations for the training and workshops of teacher counsellors.
Recently Directorate of School Education, Jammu and Directorate of School Education, Kashmir in collaboration with Primal Foundation (Kaivalya Education Foundation) and Red Pencil Humanitarian Mission concluded an innovative training program for teachers- Arts Based Capacity Building &Training (ACBT), with motive to use different art forms to improve the overall socio-emotional well being of the students. This is a good start in the direction of student mental health and school counselling and it is hoped that more is being initiated this session in this regard.
There are a variety of reasons why students may benefit from counselling in schools.
Academic Support: Many students struggle with academic challenges, such as time management, study skills, test anxiety, and understanding class material. School counselling can help students develop effective study habits, manage their time, and develop effective learning strategies.
Social and Emotional Support: School counselling can provide students with a safe and supportive space to discuss their feelings, thoughts, and concerns. This can help them manage stress, cope with difficult emotions, and develop healthy relationships with peers.
Behavioural Support: Some students may exhibit disruptive or challenging behaviours in the classroom or school environment. School counselling can help identify the root causes of these behaviours and develop strategies to address them.
Career and College Readiness: School counsellors can help students plan for their future careers by providing information about college admissions, scholarships, career paths, and vocational opportunities.
Family Issues: Students may experience family issues such as separation or divorce, domestic violence, or financial difficulties, which can impact their academic performance and emotional well-being. School counselling can provide support and resources to help students and families navigate these challenges.
