_(1).jpg)
NCERT Manodarpan Cell Holds Online Workshop on Mental Health and Student Well-being
New Delhi: Supporting students’ mental health requires more than academic guidance. The school environment, use of digital technology and the extent to which students feel included can also shape their educational experiences. Addressing these aspects, the Manodarpan Cell of the Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education (DEPFE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), organised a one-day online workshop on “Awareness and Sensitisation on Mental Health and Well-being.”
Conducted in connection with World Mental Health Day, the workshop brought together more than 300 school principals, counsellors and educators to discuss mental health awareness and the role of schools in supporting students’ overall well-being. The session highlighted the need to integrate mental health considerations into everyday educational practices. Prof. Dr. Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director of NCERT, drew attention to balanced technology use, cyber safety and inclusive educational practices, linking these areas to students’ mental health and holistic development.
The initiative placed student well-being within the broader discussion on school education, emphasising that a supportive learning environment should address students’ developmental needs alongside their academic progress.
What Was the Purpose of NCERT’s Mental Health and Well-being Workshop?
The workshop sought to improve awareness of mental health and sensitise key stakeholders in school education to its importance. By bringing together principals, counsellors and educators, the programme encouraged discussion on how schools can contribute to environments that support students’ emotional and overall development. A student’s school experience extends beyond textbooks, examinations and classroom performance. Interactions with teachers and classmates, opportunities to participate and the experience of feeling accepted can all influence how students engage with education.
School leaders and educators therefore have a role in shaping learning environments that promote inclusion, safety and appropriate support. The workshop drew attention to the importance of recognising student well-being as part of the wider educational process. The available announcement does not provide a detailed session-wise agenda, individual timings or the names of additional speakers.
Prof. Amarendra P. Behera Emphasises Technology Balance, Cyber Safety and Inclusion
During the workshop, Prof. Dr. Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director of NCERT, highlighted three areas relevant to student well-being: balanced technology use, cyber safety and inclusive educational practices.These themes reflect practical considerations for schools as digital tools become increasingly integrated into learning and communication.
Balanced Technology Use in Students’ Daily Lives
Digital devices and online platforms can support classroom activities, access to educational resources and communication. Their use, however, needs to be considered in the context of students’ broader learning experiences and daily routines.
The workshop identified balanced technology use as an important consideration in discussions about mental health and holistic development. This places responsibility on educational stakeholders to encourage thoughtful engagement with digital tools rather than viewing technology use solely through its academic benefits.
Cyber Safety as Part of Student Well-being
Students’ online experiences are another consideration for schools and educators. Digital communication and learning platforms can expose children and adolescents to situations that require awareness of safe and responsible online behaviour.
By highlighting cyber safety, the workshop brought attention to the connection between responsible digital engagement and a supportive learning environment. Awareness among teachers, school leaders and counsellors can help keep online safety within broader discussions about student well-being.
Inclusive Educational Practices for Holistic Development
Inclusive education focuses on enabling students with different backgrounds, abilities and learning needs to participate meaningfully in educational settings.
The workshop identified inclusive practices as another important area linked to mental health and holistic development. An inclusive approach recognises that students may have different experiences and support requirements, making responsiveness to their needs an important consideration in school education.
Why Mental Health and Well-being Matter in School Education
Mental health is an important part of students’ overall development and their experience of school. The relationships students build, their sense of belonging and the support available to them can influence how they participate in classroom activities and navigate educational challenges.
Addressing well-being is not limited to responding when difficulties arise. Schools can also consider how their everyday practices, classroom culture and approach to inclusion affect students.
The themes discussed during the NCERT workshop highlight several areas for consideration:
- Mental health awareness: Helping school stakeholders understand the relevance of student well-being within education.
- Supportive school environments: Encouraging practices that make students feel respected, included and supported.
- Cyber safety: Promoting awareness of responsible and safe online behaviour.
- Balanced technology use: Encouraging a thoughtful approach to digital tools in students’ educational experiences.
- Inclusive learning: Recognising the varied backgrounds, abilities and needs of students.
- Holistic development: Giving appropriate attention to students’ overall development alongside academic learning.
Together, these areas provide a basis for schools to examine how well-being can be considered in everyday teaching, student engagement and institutional practices.
How NCERT’s Manodarpan Cell Is Bringing Attention to Student Well-being
The workshop was organised by the Manodarpan Cell under DEPFE at NCERT, placing the initiative within the field of educational psychology and school well-being. The participation of more than 300 school principals, counsellors and educators reflected the involvement of different stakeholders in the discussion. Each group engages with students from a different perspective: principals shape school priorities, teachers support students through daily classroom interactions, and counsellors contribute guidance and specialised support.
Bringing these stakeholders together creates an opportunity to develop a shared understanding of the role mental health plays in students’ educational experiences. However, the announcement does not specify any follow-up training programmes, implementation targets or dates for future workshops. It therefore does not establish whether additional activities have been scheduled following this session.
World Mental Health Day Workshop Connects Awareness with Action
Organised in connection with World Mental Health Day, the workshop carried the theme “From Awareness to Action.” The theme placed emphasis on moving beyond discussion towards greater consideration of mental health within school education. For educational institutions, this means examining how existing practices influence students’ experiences. Inclusive classrooms, responsible use of technology and awareness of cyber safety are among the areas identified during the workshop that can inform such discussions.
Awareness alone does not establish how effectively a school supports its students. The wider task is to consider how that understanding can inform everyday interactions, institutional priorities and learning environments in which students can participate and access appropriate support. The workshop brought these considerations together through a discussion involving school leaders, counsellors and educators.
Conclusion
NCERT’s Manodarpan Cell organised a one-day online workshop on mental health and well-being, bringing together more than 300 school principals, counsellors and educators. The session highlighted the importance of student well-being in school education, with Prof. Dr. Amarendra P. Behera drawing attention to balanced technology use, cyber safety and inclusive educational practices.
Held in connection with World Mental Health Day, the initiative highlighted a broader consideration for schools: students’ educational experiences involve more than academic achievement. The learning environment, responsible digital engagement and inclusion also deserve attention when considering students’ mental health and holistic development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the NCERT Manodarpan Mental Health and Well-being Workshop 2026?
The NCERT Manodarpan workshop was a one-day online programme titled “Awareness and Sensitisation on Mental Health and Well-being.” It aimed to strengthen understanding of student mental health and highlight the role of schools in creating safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments.
2. Which organisation organised the NCERT mental health workshop?
The programme was organised by the Manodarpan Cell under the Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education (DEPFE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
3. How many people participated in the Manodarpan workshop?
More than 300 participants, including school principals, counsellors and educators, took part in the online workshop to discuss mental health awareness and student well-being.
4. Who addressed the NCERT Mental Health and Well-being Workshop?
Prof. Dr. Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director of NCERT, highlighted balanced technology use, cyber safety and inclusive educational practices as key considerations for students’ mental health and holistic development.
5. What were the main topics covered in the workshop?
The workshop focused on mental health awareness, student well-being, responsible technology use, cyber safety and inclusive education. It also emphasised the need for school environments that support students’ learning and overall development.
6. Why is balanced technology use important for student well-being?
A balanced approach to technology encourages students to engage thoughtfully with digital tools as part of their educational experiences. The workshop highlighted this aspect in the context of mental health and students’ holistic development.
7. What role does cyber safety play in promoting student mental health?
Cyber safety helps address the importance of safe and responsible online behaviour in students’ digital experiences. The workshop identified it as an important consideration for educators and school leaders working to support student well-being.
8. How can schools create a supportive environment for students’ mental health?
Schools can promote student well-being by encouraging inclusion, maintaining safe learning environments, raising awareness of cyber safety, supporting responsible technology use and adopting educational practices that accommodate students’ diverse needs.
Click Here for More Latest News