Colleges and schools run year-round mental health programs

Educational institutions in Chennai are running mental health initiatives throughout the year rather than limiting awareness to World Mental Health Day.

Peer Support Programs

At the Madras School of Social Work in Egmore, second-year students in the Department of Social Work for Mental Health receive training to act as peer support first responders. Associate Professor J. Damen Queen notes that the programme covers accessibility, affordability and availability. The faculty is now planning a pilot project to train students as trainers across 20 colleges in Chennai. Meanwhile, Chettinad Vidyashram runs the Young Helper Project, started in 2024 and led by Class XII psychology students, where they conduct monthly sessions on topics like bullying and peer pressure for students from classes I to XI. Department of Psychology head G. Parvathi states that the project helps bridge the gap that occurs when teachers act as counsellors.

Creative and Nature Activities

CTTE College for Women in Perambur sets up Gratitude Walls every two to three months as a mindfulness activity, alongside therapeutic events involving music, sand and movement, according to Alima Zahra, head of the Department of Psychology. At Women's Christian College on College Road, the Centre for Environment Studies promotes Community Gardening and Forest Bathing. Dean C. Anupama mentions that 25 students from various departments have enrolled in gardening this academic year to grow vegetables and greens.

Context

Educational institutions increasingly adopt campus-wide wellness activities to help students manage stress and seek early support. These programmes often rely on student volunteers and outdoor activities to encourage mental well-being outside the traditional classroom setting.