Most parents want their children to excel in academics, be confident, and grow into happy adults. Yet, many see their children struggling with exam pressure, social challenges, or changes in behaviour. Few parents want to understand what is troubling their child, but still feel unsure how to help. According to UNICEF, one in seven adolescents in India experiences mental health issues, with academic pressure being a leading contributor.<\/p>\n
In many homes, talking about mental health is still considered unnecessary or even uncomfortable. Some parents believe that children should \u201ctoughen up\u201d or that these issues will fade with time. However, the World Health Organisation reports that half of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 14, yet most cases involving school-aged children remain undetected. Ignoring these early signs of distress can make things harder for children, both in school and in life.<\/p>\n
Through this blog, let’s explore the challenges faced by students, the role of schools and parents in a child\u2019s emotional journey, and why mental health awareness and support programmes are so important.<\/p>\n
The Growing Challenge for Students<\/strong><\/p>\n Children today face much more than academic pressure. They often deal with:<\/p>\n For some children, these pressures result in stress, anxiety, low confidence, or withdrawal from friends and activities. Many do not share their worries because they fear being judged. This is where a mental well-being programme for schools can make a real difference.<\/p>\n Why Schools Need Mental Wellness Programmes<\/strong><\/p>\n Schools are where children spend most of their time. Teachers, peers, and the overall environment influence their confidence, resilience, and growth. A school mental health programme ensures that support is available right where it\u2019s needed most.<\/p>\n Such programmes help by:<\/p>\n When mental health support is part of the school culture, students feel more comfortable seeking help without fear of being singled out.<\/p>\n Parents\u2019 Role in a Child\u2019s Emotional Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n While schools can offer structured mental health support, parents play the most important role in their child\u2019s emotional development. Schools and parents working together can regulate students\u2019 emotions and address their concerns more effectively.<\/p>\n Schools and parents can work closely to:<\/p>\n When parents and schools collaborate, children feel safe and understood and are willing to share their feelings.<\/p>\n Narayana Schools\u2019 Approach Towards Mental Health<\/strong><\/p>\n Narayana Schools recognised the need for mental wellness programmes early and launched DISHA, our dedicated Mental Well-Being Programme, in 2017. The initiative began after our educators and counsellors observed worrying patterns among students and conducted a pilot study to understand the severity of the situation.<\/p>\n The name DISHA, meaning \u201cdirection,\u201d reflects our role in guiding students through academic stress, social changes, and everyday challenges, helping them grow in confidence.<\/p>\n How DISHA Works<\/strong><\/p>\n Our mental health awareness and support programme addresses social, emotional, and behavioural challenges that can affect academic performance and personal growth.<\/p>\n To make support approachable, we have over 100 trained psychologists who are referred to as \u2018development coaches.\u2019 This removes the stigma linked to counselling and encourages students to seek help.<\/p>\n DISHA offers:<\/p>\n Common concerns addressed include low self-confidence, difficulty adjusting to new environments, family issues, and peer relationship challenges.<\/p>\n Why is DISHA Different?<\/strong><\/p>\n At Narayana Schools, DISHA is integrated into our school culture. It is a core part of how we care for students.<\/p>\n DISHA stands out because it provides:<\/p>\n This ensures that every child, whether facing a serious challenge or just needing someone to listen, has access to help.<\/p>\n The Impact of DISHA<\/strong><\/p>\n Since its launch, DISHA has expanded from a few campuses to Narayana schools and colleges across 23 states. The programme has:<\/p>\n These numbers highlight not only the scale of our mental wellbeing programme but also the trust parents and students place in it.<\/p>\n The Outcome We Aim For<\/strong><\/p>\n At Narayana Schools, our aim is to ensure the overall development of every student. We focus on physical well-being through age-appropriate sports initiatives with nSports, mental well-being through DISHA, emotional balance through Yoga Veekshan, and personality development through our soft skills programmes.<\/p>\n Through such initiatives, Narayana Schools is building an environment where mental, physical, and emotional well-being is valued as much as academic achievement, because overall development is the foundation for fulfilling dreams, and your dreams are our dreams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most parents want their children to excel in academics, be confident, and grow into happy adults. Yet, many see their children struggling with exam pressure, social challenges, or changes in behaviour. Few parents want to understand what is troubling their child, but still feel unsure how to help. According to UNICEF, one in seven adolescents […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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