Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Experts Urge Schools to Prioritize Students' Emotional Wellbeing
Experts are saying that schools should pay more attention to students' feelings and mental health, not just their grades.
They point out that kids today face a lot of stress from exams, social media, and other things, which can make them anxious or sad.
The World Health Organisation says that many teenagers have mental health problems.
Experts like Dr. Nand Kumar and Shishir Jaipuria believe schools should have counsellors, teach kids how to handle stress, and make sure teachers are trained to help.
They also say too much screen time can be bad for kids' mental health.
Dr. Deepika Dahima explains that kids compare themselves to others online, which can make them feel bad about themselves.
Everyone agrees that schools and parents should work together to help kids feel better and do well in school.
Experts call for integrating emotional wellbeing into the education system to address rising stress and mental health issues among students.
One in seven adolescents aged 10-19 lives with a mental disorder, according to the World Health Organisation.
Schools should have systems for early identification of emotional distress and access to trained counsellors.
Excessive screen time and social media pressures are contributing to anxiety, depression, and reduced attention spans among adolescents.
Schools and parents should collaborate to cultivate healthy digital habits and critical media literacy.
- Who
- Educationists, mental health experts, and organizations like UNICEF and NCERT
- What
- Call for integrating emotional wellbeing into the education system
- When
- Present day, with increasing awareness and challenges
- Where
- Schools and educational institutions
- Why
- To address rising stress, anxiety, and mental health issues among students
Proponents of Emotional Wellbeing Integration
Traditional Academic Focus Advocates
Importance of Emotional Wellbeing
Proponents of Emotional Wellbeing Integration
Emotional wellbeing should be integrated into the education system to create safe, supportive environments for students.
Traditional Academic Focus Advocates
Academic performance should remain the primary focus, with emotional wellbeing addressed through occasional awareness exercises.
Role of Teachers
Proponents of Emotional Wellbeing Integration
Teachers should be trained to recognize behavioural changes and support students' emotional needs.
Traditional Academic Focus Advocates
Teachers should focus primarily on academic instruction, with counsellors handling emotional issues.
Digital Technology
Proponents of Emotional Wellbeing Integration
Schools and parents should collaborate to cultivate healthy digital habits and critical media literacy.
Traditional Academic Focus Advocates
Digital technology should be embraced for its educational benefits without excessive regulation.
- Key Challenges
- Examination stress, excessive screen time, social media pressures, bullying, loneliness
- Mental Health Statistics
- One in seven adolescents aged 10-19 lives with a mental disorder
- Organizations Involved
- UNICEF, NCERT, World Health Organisation
- Expert Recommendations
- Integrate social-emotional learning, mindfulness, peer-support initiatives, regular interaction with counsellors
- Digital Technology Impact
- Excessive screen time linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, reduced attention spans
- Role of Teachers
- Teachers should adopt the role of counsellors to address emotional wellbeing
- Early Intervention
- Regular communication between teachers, counsellors, and parents for early recognition and intervention