Chandigarh, Nov. 3 -- Haryana is planning to introduce a structured school-based mental health support system for students of Classes 6 to 12 under its proposed SATH-E project, aiming early identification of psychological difficulties, including examination stress, anxiety, depression, bullying, social isolation and excessive screen use. According to additional chief secretary (ACS-health) Sumita Misra, the proposed initiative aims at coordinated mechanism involving the health and school education departments, teachers, parents, student volunteers, counsellors, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. The initiative will adopt separate approaches for students of Classes 6 to 8 and Classes 9 to 12, keeping in view their distinct developmental and psychological needs. The ACS (health) said the health department has trained 122 counsellors to strengthen the implementation of the SAATH project across Haryana. These counsellors will coordinate with two designated teachers in each of the 200 government schools identified under the initiative, creating a network of approximately 400 trained teachers. All designated teachers will receive structured training on mental health issues, early identification of psychological distress, supportive communication and appropriate referral mechanisms. This will create a strong school-based network for mental health awareness, screening and early intervention. For students of Classes 6 to 8, the focus will be on emotional awareness, self-confidence, puberty-related changes, examination anxiety, bullying, peer rejection and communication difficulties with parents. Teachers will be sensitised to identify early warning signs. htc...