Education Ministry to launch a mental health programme for school children

The Ministry of Education has decided to launch a special programme focused on mental health for school children.

Schools play a crucial role in teaching essential life skills and shaping individuals into successful members of society. One of the most important goals is ensuring that children are mentally healthy and self-confident. The ministry is placing special emphasis on transforming schools into environments where students are prepared to handle life’s challenges. As children grow, their thoughts and perspectives evolve, and various factors within their family and environment can have diverse psychological impacts. To address these issues, the ministry is introducing a comprehensive mental health program to better equip students to face such challenges.

The primary aim of the programme is to help children develop the mental resilience needed to face age-related challenges. The ministry noted that many children struggle to manage emotions such as conflict, anger, and sadness, with some even contemplating self-harm in extreme cases. To address these issues, the programme will be implemented across all government schools and grades. The initiative is designed to help students cope with challenging emotions within the school setting, fostering their mental well-being.

The ministry has announced plans to hire a consultancy firm to support the programme. The project, in collaboration with UNICEF, will also produce educational materials on mental health. Interested organisations are invited to submit their proposals by 1 October 2024.