Chandigarh, Oct. 17 -- There is a need to create a model of supportive school environment that can be conveyed to UT administration to use it in all schools for greater impact, former Chief of Army Staff General VP Malik said on Friday. Addressing a gathering during an experiential sharing meet under the Project Saathi at Government Girls Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, he stressed on the need to monitor the progress of children under this project for years to come to see long term results. The Chandigarh Citizens' Foundation (CCF), which conceived the Project Sathi in November 2024 in response to rising concern over student suicides, said 87 school counsellors have been trained by experts from PGIMER and Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) with a focus on mental health of students in around two years. "With students often finding themselves in anxiety and stress driven by studies, competition and other factors, Project Saathi is aiming to create emotionally supportive school environments, ensuring their mental well being," it stated. The project is being executed through yoga, mindfulness, value education, mindful games and other experiential activities. Amudha Narayanan, director of Kavy; Balamurugan, ex-Punjab additional chief secretary; and Sathi project coordinator Gurpreet Kaur were also present....