Expressions' India, in collaboration with the National Life Skills and School Mental Health Programme, organised the National MindSmart Conclave…a Life Skills' and Well-being Leadership Course designed specifically for adolescent peer educators and ambassadors. The programme was held in three sessions in the months of May, July, and August 2025.
Four students from our School - Samriddhi Mehta (IX-C), Taisha Manchanda (IX-B), Tanmay Virmani (IX-E), and Harnoor Kaur Lamba (XI-D)….actively participated in the programme, under the guidance of Ms Meghna Joshi, School Counsellor. The initiative aimed to empower peer mentors with essential life skills and 21st-century competencies, enabling them to foster a culture of emotional well-being and resilience within their School community.
Session I: Building Resilience and Coping Skills
Date: 9th May 2025
Venue: National Science Centre
The first session began with an early morning gathering at the National Science Centre. Students were divided into colour-coded groups and engaged in an ice-breaking activity. The programme was officially inaugurated in the auditorium with a welcome song presented by students from various schools, followed by a powerful nukkad natak (street play) addressing adolescent challenges like peer pressure.
The chief guest, Shri Vineet Joshi (Secretary, Department of Higher Education), along with other dignitaries, participated in the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. In his keynote address, Shri Joshi emphasised the critical importance of mental health and the need for collaborative efforts in this domain. His message was reinforced by Mr Vijay Shankar Sharma (Director, National Science Centre), who addressed the participants.
The day’s theme Building Resilience for Coping and Capacity Building, was explored through creative activities rooted in the expressive arts and play therapy techniques. Students reflected on key topics such as active listening, emotional validation, assertiveness, and the role of peer mentors in modeling these life skills. The session concluded with a focused group discussion (FGD), allowing participants to share insights and personal takeaways.
Session II: Family Bonding and Caring Communication
Date: 16th July 2025
Venue: National Science Centre
The second session focused on the theme Family Bonding and Caring Communication – An Emerging Paradigm. Through hands'-on, experiential activities, students explored the role of the family ecosystem and the dynamics of conflict within it.
One impactful activity involved balloons, where participants wrote their core strengths on balloons and attempted to protect or pop them, depending on their group’s role. The exercise symbolised the fragility of identity, the violence in its destruction, and the importance of self-protection amidst chaos. Discussions delved into the nature of aggression encouraging students to view it not as “good” or “bad” but as a layered emotional response requiring regulation and empathy.
The session equipped students with emotional regulation tools and promoted the application of these skills within classroom and peer mentoring contexts.
Session III: Valedictory and Peer Mentor Felicitation
Date: 29th August 2025
Venue: National Bal Bhawan
The final session marked the culmination of the programme and celebrated the journey of the peer mentors. The day began with an engaging ice-breaking activity led by Ms Geeta Mehrotra (CBSE Counsellor and Resource Person), setting an optimistic tone.
The students were divided into groups and guided by interns from Moolchand Medcity. Each group was assigned a theme, around which the students developed performances and interactive activities including nukkad nataks, role plays, and FGDs…addressing key adolescent issues.
At the conclusion of each presentation, facilitators highlighted the core life skills advocated by CBSE, including:
The session concluded with the official felicitation of the participants, recognising them as peer mentors capable of making a positive impact within their school communities. The National MindSmart Conclave was a transformative experience for the participating students. Through this immersive journey, they not only enhanced their life skills but also developed a deeper understanding of mental health and peer leadership emerging as ambassadors of well-being within their academic and social environments.
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