School Based Mental Health Programme in India: A Review

Abstract

India is home to the largest population of adolescents in the world and thus school mental health is an important aspect to focus on to ensure the well-being of adolescents. This review paper is an attempt to highlight the need for comprehensive SMHP by examining the development, trajectory and existing practice of school based mental health interventions in India. Methodology: to review all available literature on school based mental health programmes in India, keywords such as school mental health programme, evidenced based practice, health programmes for adolescents and policies on mental health of students were used to carry searches from pubmed, science direct and google scholar. In addition, grey literature published by government agencies, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations were retrieved and downloaded. Relevant books and book chapters were also reviewed. Indian studies published from 2008 to 2021 pertaining to school mental health programmes and Indian policies and programmes from 1953 to 2020 related to school mental health are included in the review. Results: most of the SMHPs in India are universal in approach, short term and employed teachers as facilitators. These programmes cater mostly to urban population, operating only within certain places and schools of urban areas. The lack of regulating body at the centre results in the piecemeal operation of the programmes. Conclusion: the practice of school mental health programme (SMHP) prevailing in India is not sufficient to meet the mental health needs of adolescents. This is evident from the increasing rate of mental health concerns found among adolescents. It is thus understood that India needs a more progressive, large scale and centralised programme to meet the mental health needs of adolescents. Therefore, drawing the conclusion from the current standing of SMHP, proposal for a comprehensive nationalised SMHP is suggested to be established in India.