1000 govt schools in Jammu Division create 'happiness zones' to provide psycho-social support to children

In the wake of Covid-19, 1000 govt schools in Jammu Division have created 'happiness zones' in school premises to provide psycho-social support to children by allowing them to open up about their emotions and feelings in a confidential manner.

Acknowledging the importance of mental health, especially in the post-Covid-19 pandemic scenario, more than 1000 government schools of Jammu Division have created 'happiness zones' to provide safe and psychologically comfortable spaces within the school premises where students can talk about their feelings and emotions unhesitatingly and in a confidential manner.

These zones are created as per directions from the Ministry of Education endorsed by Administrative Department School Education. More such zones will be created in winter zone schools as the schools reopen after vacations.

In first of its kind initiative, Directorate of School Education Jammu has directed all Jammu Division schools from middle to higher secondary to create such happiness zones to provide psycho-social support to students as per Manodarpan guidelines.

Trained faculty counsellors working in counselling cells of these schools are rendering their services in these zones.

Manodarpan is an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Government of India (GOI) that aims to provide psycho-social support and counselling to students for their mental health and well-being during the Covid-19 outbreak and beyond.

The pandemic is not only a serious medical concern but also brings mixed emotions and psycho-social stress for all.

Counselling cell DSEJ is organizing regular capacity development programmes, webinars for teachers in collaboration with reliable institutions like NIMHANS Bangalore, Department of ICPS, BCPA, Department of Psychiatry GMCs to develop counselling skills in teachers.