New Delhi: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has released a set of draft guidelines for schools, aimed at enhancing sensitivity, fostering understanding, and offering support in situations where self-harm is reported.
The draft guidelines for schools include measures such as:
- Setting up School Wellness Team (SWT)
- Identifying students exhibiting warning signs and at risk of self-harm
- Responding immediately and supporting such students.
- Nurturing partnerships between school, parents and community, for fostering societal support as a critical strategy for preventing suicide and reducing the stigma associated with suicidal behaviour.
- The draft also suggests eliminating harmful notions such as comparing oneself to peers, perceiving failure as permanent, and solely defining success based on academic achievement. Additionally, it recommends securing vacant classrooms, installing proper lighting in dim corridors, maintaining tidy gardens and addressing excessive grass growth.
- With the principle of “Every Child Matters” behind the development of these guidelines, the draft, seeking public feedback, details directions to schools for enhancing sensitivity, understanding, and providing support in case of reported self-harm.
According to the guidelines, an effective School Wellness Team (SWT) can be formed under the leadership of the School Principal. Each member of SWT receives thorough orientation in handling crisis situations. In the event that a student exhibiting warning signs is identified by any stakeholder, it is imperative to report it to the SWT, which will then take immediate action.
Key role and responsibilities of School Wellness Team (SWT):
- The Student Welfare Team (SWT) will also play a crucial role in the implementation of school activities aimed at raising awareness about mental well-being, ultimately leading to the prevention of suicide.
- However, it is important to note that while the SWT plays a significant role, it cannot single- handedly prevent suicide in schools. The support and involvement of all stakeholders are essential in these prevention efforts.
- SWT should be regularly reconstituted in order to provide all stakeholders in the school with the opportunity to develop awareness and capacity. Moreover, it is crucial for the school to annually evaluate the effectiveness of SWT and its operation.
- The draft suggests that schools should actively focus on enhancing the capacity of various stakeholders, including teachers, school staff, students, families of students, and other involved parties, in order to effectively prevent suicides and ensure prompt and appropriate response during crisis situations.
As stated in the draft guidelines, “A crucial step in this direction involves enhancing their knowledge and promoting peer support, organizing regular activities for relaxation and the reduction of stress, providing avenues for self-expression, compiling resources for seeking support, integrating mental well-being into school functions, and creating a safe environment in school and beyond, including vigilance at railway tracks, river banks, bridges, cliffs, and medical shops, among others.”
