As the world progresses, the human mind progresses to surmount elevated levels of stress, anxiety and tension. This engine-like mind often gets out of order due to the excessive tension it takes up, resulting in various psychological problems. The International Forum on Mental Health observes World Mental Health Day every year on 10th October.
[gallery link="file"]This year, Birla Vidya Niketan, Pushp Vihar, organised a fest to celebrate World Mental Health Day.It was not only an inter-school competition but an innovative way to spread awareness amongst adolescents about Mental Health. Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Dr Shyama Chona and Ms Prarthana Chona presided over the event as chief guests.
The competition consisted of various events like - Through the Looking Glass (Movie Making), Let Me Shine (Talent Show for children with special needs) and Youth Parliament (On the spot campaign on Mental Health). Six students (Sai Pratyaksh Epari (XII-C) , Aryan Singh (XI-B), Anshika Sharma (XII-C), Dhananjay Chhokar (IX-A), Mayank Ahuja (XI-D) and Shiven Batra (XI-D) from The Indian School enthusiastically participated in this event along with teams from 20 other schools of Delhi and NCR. The latter included DPS RK Puram, DPS Mathura Road, DPS Gurugram, Amity International School Saket etcetera. All the teams were escorted to the respective venues by the volunteers of the host school.
Through the Looking Glass was an event which provided a platform to the teams of participating schools to use the medium of movie-making to share their vision on the topic Stigma for Mental Health in Indian Society. The judge of the event was Ms Pallavi Sharma, Counsellor at BVN, Pushp Vihar. Everyone presented their work by turn. Our team used the idea of observing Odd Socks Day through a fictional story of a girl suffering from depression. The team members explained that the occasion is celebrated on 4th October every year to enable people to have an identity of their own, celebrate their individuality and express it. By incorporating this idea, their movie stood out from amongst the other entries and matched the judgment criteria of creativity and innovation.
Let Me Shine sought to give a platform to children with special needs so that they can surprise their audience with their talent. During this event, the students showcased their skills by dancing, preparing delicious food items using fireless cooking and expressing themselves in colours and craft. The event aimed at helping those children rise, shine and aim for the sky, as it were. It was announced at the onset that the participants of the event will not be adjudged as competitors. Consequently, all participants were acknowledged at the end of the programme with Certificates of Appreciation.
The Youth Parliament judged the campaigning skills of students,. to spread awareness about Mental Health through posters and advertisement campaigns. The judge of the event was Ms Riti Jain, counseling psychologist. The students were given a topic under the broad theme Mental Health. They were given the topics on the spot and a few minutes for preparation and presentation. Using their dramatic, artistic, poetic and speaking skills, the participants created intriguing campaigns for the same. Our team was given the topic Suicide Prevention. The participants were so good at their acting skills that they left the audience touched with their sensitive enactment.
The event came to an end with a closing address by the Principal of the host school, Ms Minakshi Kushwaha. She spoke about the importance and the growing need for more mental health programmes and awareness campaigns. She invited the guest of the day, Dr Shyama Chona, introducing her achievements in the field of mental health. Ms Chona talked of her love and regard for children which acted as a source of inspiration and helped her conceive of and build schools for special children. The room was filled with laughter as she made everyone practice Laughter Therapy to get rid of the stress and tension caused due to waiting for the results at that moment! She shared her mantra of happiness too. It was inspiring to have Ms Prarthana Chona ( granddaughter of Dr Chona) on the stage who shared her recently published poetry with the audience. She also mentioned how composing poetry acted as a stressbuster for her.
It was moment of joy for us as Sai Pratyaksh Epari (XII-C) and Aryan Singh (XI-B) won the 1st Prize for Youth Parliament. Other participants were acknowledged for their performances. It was an exhilarating experience for the students.
Aryan Singh XI-B
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