New Pathways New Hope – National Mental Health Policy of India
The National Mental Health Policy of India includes the Promotion of Mental Health as a key feature and highlights the importance of promoting mental health in schools.
The policy starts as early as pre-school, and mentions that early childcare settings should cater to the early child care, developmental and emotional needs of the child. For children under 3 years, their mothers should be introduced to parenting skills education, including addressing threats to healthy mother-child bond.
Regarding school age children, the policy states that teachers should be trained with knowledge and skills that support and build the self-confidence of parents and caregivers in understanding the physical and emotional needs of children to facilitate an affirmative and positive environment for the growth and development of children and providing protection from harmful behaviour.
The policy also states that The Life Skills programmes should be offered to school children and college aged young people using appropriate learning methods and delivered by trained teachers. Additionally, Life Skills education should provide a space for the discussion of issues such as gender and social exclusion. Finally, the policy states that teachers should be trained in mental health promotion and distress alleviation.
DATA
- CategoryPolicy papers
- CountryIndia
- LanguageEnglish
- Type of resourceDocument