Shoo away the demons

The rapidly changing socio-economic milieu has its impact on impressionable young minds. Heightened anxiety and doomsday fears following the Big Bang experiment recently drove a 16-year-old girl in Indore to suicide. Some children harbour distrust against their own loved ones as the controversial Aarushi murder case continues to unravel through the media in their living rooms. Advancements in science and modern lifestyles — not just in metros, but also tier-II towns — are here to stay. But, unfortunately, schools or parents seem to be ill-equipped to handle this change. Adolescence as a life stage is both a period of stress, and one brimming with creativity and untapped potential. But, often, schools and parents fail to go the extra mile in meaningfully channelising the energies of their children. Youngsters need a platform to voice their fears and anxieties. Counselling cells and helpline services that some progressive schools have do not suffice. There should be separate sessions in schools either in the form of an assembly or teaching periods, where such issues could be addressed. For instance, the controlled Big Bang experiment and its significance could have been explained by science teachers. The fact that these experiments only contribute to the progress of humanity and are not even remotely linked to destruction should have been effectively put forth. Similarly, life skills education should be imparted at the practical level. Skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, independent decision-making, anger management, assertive and attitudinal training should be introduced to students by experts through the medium of activities, discussions, debates and seminars and not simply through textbooks. There must be a compulsory period for discussing controversial issues by teachers and counsellors. These could be picked from the day-to-day real-life events, for instance, the nature of coverage Aarushi’s murder got. Some schools have adopted a system of peer counselling, based on the selection and training of sensitive children, with whom other children can discuss their problems. Peer counselling enables the young to discuss their problems and anxiety without inhibition as they are not subject to any value judgment or criticism by adults. Schools can also place a box outside the counsellor’s room or within the school premises, wherein students can drop their queries, share their dilemmas and worries without attracting the attention of peers and teachers. These can be addressed by a counsellor or a teacher once a week. Schools could also expose children to good literature, especially those works in which young characters emerge effectively out of stressful situations. This exercise would enable the young to identify and relate their problems and situations with that of the characters who could perhaps provide inspiration. In addition to schools, parents must also monitor their children’s progress and act as enablers. They should critically monitor the programmes they watch on television. It is important that an element of trust is established between the child and the parent. The responsibility of parents and teachers should be to dispel irrational fears from young minds and to prevent their translation into negative thoughts and imagination. Although a lot of emphasis is now given to mental health and life skills education at the school level, there is a lack of effective implementation. In fact, the preventive and promotional aspects of mental health and hygiene have not been properly catered to in the school curriculum. While schools and society restrict their definition of mental development to the grades and marks a child acquires, the emotional quotient of a child remains undeciphered. Else why would we have incidents of violence, suicides and pessimism involving bright young minds? It is important for the young to understand that problems are an integral part of life. The best approach is to deal with the demons of the mind — escapism and negativity must be replaced with acceptance and confrontation