These zones were created according to the directives of the Ministry of Education endorsed by the school education directorate. More such areas will be created as schools reopen after the holidays, they said.

“Recognizing the importance of mental health especially in the post Covid pandemic scenario, over 1,000 public schools in Jammu Division have established Happiness Zones to provide safe and psychologically comfortable spaces within school premises. ‘school where students can talk about their feelings and emotions confidently and confidentially,’ said a senior officer.

In a first of its kind initiative, the directorate of school education, Jammu has ordered all schools from middle to senior secondary to set up such zones to provide psychosocial support to students as per the guidelines of the “Manodarpan”, they said. declared.

Trained educational advisers working in the counseling cells of these schools render their services in these areas, they said.

Mandorpan is an initiative of the Ministry of Education which aims to provide psychosocial support and counseling to students for their mental health and wellbeing during the Covid outbreak and beyond.

The pandemic is not only a serious medical problem but also brings mixed emotions and psychosocial stress for all, the official said.

The counseling cell organizes regular capacity development programs and webinars for teachers in collaboration with reliable institutions to develop teachers’ counseling skills, they said.

Ravi Shankar Sharma, Director of School Education, Jammu, said that students who come to school after such a long interval may experience increased levels of stress, anxiety and fear as well as a wide range of other emotional and behavioral issues due to the Covid situation.

“We must be prepared to provide students with a healthy and psychologically safe environment to protect them. Child happiness is directly linked to academic achievement and to improve student attention, retention, we need to ensure student mental health, safety and security,” he said.

Romesh Kumar Sharma, Head of Counseling Cell, said building happiness zones in schools will create a culture of individualized guidance and counselling. This will go a long way towards ensuring the general well-being of the students in addition to providing them with psychosocial support, he said.