Jamshedpur: TEEP organises training on development of psycho-social counselling skills in teachers

32 science teachers from 29 schools participate

Jamshedpur, Nov 30: Tata Education Excellence Program (TEEP) organised a Training Programme for school teachers on developing psycho-social counselling skills on November 27-29 at Kerala Public School, Kadma.

The programme comprised 10 modules which were spread over three days. The training was aimed to sensitise and introduce counselling skills of teachers to support and guide students and impart mental health first aid to students in need. 32 science teachers from 29 schools (24 English Medium Schools and 5 Hindi Medium Schools) participated.

Experts from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru took up the sessions. The event commenced with an introduction and context setting by the officials from TEEP, TQM department of Tata Steel.

The training programme witnessed threadbare discussions on topics such as mental health disorders in children and adolescents, identification and management of neurodevelopmental disorders, specific learning disorders and dealing with behavioral issues, harmful use of technology, introduction to counselling and development of counselling skills in teachers, adolescence and relationships and self-care for teachers.

The sessions were interspersed with role plays, discussions and queries to make them engaging and enriching. The Final day also included a separate session for school leadership on proactive mental health initiatives at school, awareness & advocacy, ways to bring about inclusive education, systemic changes, disability provisions, Role and responsibility of counsellors, teachers, or principals at schools.

Experts for the sessions included Dr. Aarti Jagannathan, a Masters in Psychiatric Social Work from TISS and PhD from NIMHANS. She is a recipient of the National Women’s Excellence Award 2012, Nav Kiran by the Government of India and works as an additional professor, Psychiatric Social Work/Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, NIMHANS.

Other eminent experts included Dr. Krishna Prasad, an MD in Psychiatry and working as a Psychiatrist at NIMHANS with areas of specialization as Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Geriatric Psychiatry and Emergency Psychiatry, Dr. Anamika Sahu, M. Phil and PhD in Clinical Psychology and working as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department with her areas of interest in School Mental Health, Community Based Rehabilitation and Dr. Rajendra Kiragasur,  DPM, MD in Child Psychiatry, working as an Associate Professor in department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS with areas of interest as school mental health, child guidance and services.

The programme concluded with the felicitation of the trainers by S C Mishra, Head CQA, TQM, Tata Steel and the vote of thanks by Vidya Battiwalla, TEEP Team Executive.