Mental Health- It's Okay Not To Be Okay

The Department of B.Ed., Loreto College, Kolkata, in collaboration with St Paul’s Boarding and Day school, Khidderpore, Kolkata organised a virtual social awareness campaign on ‘Mental Health’ for the students of Class X of the school. The campaign was conducted by B.Ed. trainees over Google Meet on June 15, 2021. The session began with the teacher trainees welcoming the students and the school mentor, Ms. Sabrena Pote. The campaign then proceeded with a detailed discussion on ‘adolescence’ and how this is a time of ‘storm and stress’ for them. The students were shown a video that aimed to reduce the stigma attached to mental health. This was followed by a discussion on traits such as anger and frustration, anxiety and worry, low mood and boredom and interpersonal relationships. The campaign focused on how the students can deal with the various aspects of their own self, specifically the wellbeing of their mental health. As the campaign title suggests, the students were also provided with various coping strategies, so that they can understand and pave way for acceptance within the ‘self’ that IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY. The campaign was supported throughout, by a detailed illustrated PowerPoint Presentation, which helped the students get a visual representation of the campaign and its purpose. The campaign ended with a video, which further consolidated the purpose of the social awareness programme on Mental Health; it was followed with a vote of thanks delivered by a teacher trainee from the B.Ed. Department, Loreto College. We are grateful to the Principal of St Paul’s Boarding and Day School, Sister Rosli Kerketta and Ms. Pote for their cooperation and immense support for making this campaign a success.