On October 8, 2024, School counsellor Ms Meghna Joshi participated in the Counsellors' Carnival, an innovative initiative by the Shiv Nadar School in Noida to observe World Mental Health Day. The event attracted a wide range of counsellors from various schools across the NCR.
The day was structured into three segments: a workshop on using improv performance to create safe spaces in the classroom, a panel discussion on mental health in the workplace, and a workshop on Expressive Arts Therapy.
Segment I: Improv for Safe Spaces by Kaivalya Plays
In the first workshop, Mr Varoon P. Anand utilised various drama activities to educate counsellors on engaging students and approaching counseling in a more reflexive manner. He introduced creative tools that can be valuable in both counselling sessions and classroom settings, including the "60-second rant", the "story spine" and a gift-giving activity. While these are known as improv games in theatre, they are also effective in teaching and counselling. Mr Anand concluded the workshop by encouraging counsellors and educators to engage their whole selves—hand, heart, and head—to become more reflective practitioners. He emphasised the importance of incorporating interdisciplinary approaches in clinical processes, which often get sidelined by a purely biomedical model that diminishes the individual's wholeness.
Tea Break (11:15 A.M - 11:30 A.M)
Segment II: Panel Discussion on "Prioritising Mental Health at the Workplace"
Following a tea break, the second segment featured a panel discussion on mental health in the workplace, particularly within the context of schools—a frequently overlooked area. The speakers included Ms Maanvi Khurana, Founder and Counselling Psychologist, Ms Suchita Das, counseling psychologist with 15 years of experience at various schools and Mr Vipul Paliwal, business psychologist.
The panel critically analysed the increasing need for Employee Assistance Programmess (EAPs) in the Indian context, exploring their feasibility and challenges in a school setting. Suggestions were made on how to initiate Employee Wellness Assistance Programmes (EWAPs) within schools, as well as how to set and negotiate boundaries with various stakeholders encountered by counsellors. Systemic challenges and sustainable efforts were discussed, including the idea of implementing mental health check-ins during high-stress periods, such as report card writing or paper preparation. Counselors were encouraged to form teams to develop EWAPs tailored to their school contexts or to partner with organisations that can better support staff members.
Lunch Break (1:00 P.M - 1:25 P.M)
Segment III: Expressive Arts Therapy (1:30 P.M - 3:30 P.M)
The final segment featured an expressive arts therapy session conducted by Ms Tatiana Arteyeva. This session unfolded over six phases, starting with the selection of cards that resonated with participants, and progressing through various artistic mediums. The experiential process highlighted how emotions don’t always reveal or heal through conventional talk therapy or pharmacotherapy. Using artworks created by students facing emotional and behavioral challenges, Ms Arteyeva educated counsellors on how to incorporate art into their work and personal lives, helping students find alternative ways to express their identities.
The Counsellors' Carnival provided a vital platform for professionals to explore innovative approaches to mental health and counseling in schools. Through engaging workshops and insightful discussions, participants were empowered to adopt creative strategies and advocate for mental health support within their institutions. This initiative not only fosters collaboration among counsellors but also highlights the importance of prioritising mental well-being in educational settings, paving the way for a more supportive and understanding environment for both students and educators.
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