Mangaluru
K Anandh, CEO of the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, emphasized the importance of early detection of mental health concerns among students during the inauguration of a mental health training workshop for high school teachers. He noted that teachers are crucial in identifying these issues, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes, especially when academic performance declines.
Dr. HR Thimmaiah, District Health Officer, highlighted that even minor incidents can have traumatic effects on children and attributed the rise in mental health issues to the shift from joint to nuclear families. He encouraged teachers to take on counseling roles through the Manosthairya program, launched in 2022 to educate students about mental health and provide necessary support.
Venkatesha Subraya Patagara, Deputy Director of Public Instruction, urged teachers to set aside personal issues and focus on alleviating student stress. He noted the program’s success in identifying various mental health challenges among students.
Dr. Sudarshan, Implementation Officer of the District Mental Health Programme, reported an increase in mental health problems linked to mobile usage, absenteeism, and academic difficulties, underscoring the need for early detection and teacher training in counseling. Dr. Supriya Hegde from Father Muller Medical College also contributed as a resource person for the workshop.
