Twenty-five students from The Heritage School, Kolkata, had the opportunity to attend the Conclave on Mental Health at the Raj Bhavan, Kolkata on 20th January. 

 

The event commenced with the National Anthem, followed by the most interesting and inspiring address by the Honourable Governor of West Bengal, Dr CV Ananda Bose, which set the tone for the day’s meaningful discussions.

 

One of the highlights of the Conclave was the panel discussion titled “The Future of School Mental Health: A Multidisciplinary Conversation.” Among the esteemed panelists was Ms. Seema Sapru, Principal of The Heritage School, who was specially invited for her expertise in holistic education. Joining her on the panel were Ms. Shruti Chatterjee, a Behavioural Therapist at The Heritage School, and Aniruddha Bandopadhyay, a student of the school; who brought unique perspectives to the conversation.

 

Key takeaways from the panel included:

 

Ms. Seema Sapru emphasized adopting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a framework for schools, ensuring children’s fundamental and emotional needs are addressed before focusing on academic progress.

 

Ms. Shruti Chatterjee discussed the challenges students face regarding mental health and highlighted the importance of fostering open communication, creating an inclusive culture, and organizing workshops and awareness programs for parents.

 

Aniruddha Bandopadhyay spoke about maintaining a balance between the use of technology and mental well-being, while also emphasizing the significance of professional mental health support, which The Heritage School provides to its students.

 

Another highlight of the Conclave was the cultural performance by the teachers and students of The Heritage School, who presented a captivating dance presentation on mental health. The performance, filled with meaningful expressions and thought-provoking messages, resonated deeply with the audience and earned appreciation.

 

On this great Shri Pradip Agarwal, CEO, Heritage Group of Institutions said, “Mental Health issues are now a prime concern among the School students. This Conclave gives ample support to brainstorm ways for navigation towards a better life.