Pimpri: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is making significant progress in student mental health through its pioneering MITRA (Mental health Initiative for promoTion, pRevention, and redressAl) program, which has been implemented in 96 primary schools and reaches approximately 40,000 students from grades 1 to 8. The initiative, launched at a critical time when young students face unique social and emotional challenges, provides trained counselors who visit schools weekly, offering guidance on stress management, bullying, health, and hygiene, along with effective study skills.

These counselors, or “Dadas” and “Tais,” have quickly become trusted figures, giving students someone neutral and non-judgmental to talk to about the difficulties they face, whether in school or at home. Students look forward to their sessions, often requesting more frequent visits from the counselors. This enthusiasm among students highlights the initiative's importance, as PCMC officials recognize that offering support at the primary level can help foster resilience and emotional health from an early age.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, “Today’s young students face unique and often challenging pressures. With MITRA, we’re giving them a safe space to develop life skills and address their emotional needs. We are proud to be the only corporation to lead such a comprehensive program focused on both mental health and value-based education in schools.”

The MITRA initiative not only provides individual and group counseling but also integrates lessons in empathy, compassion, and responsibility through activities like poster competitions, elocution, and teamwork-based projects. PCMC’s counselors work with teachers and parents, guiding them on how to support the students' social and emotional growth. Teachers, too, report positive changes in the classroom as they benefit from having a mental health professional to consult on student concerns and behavioral strategies. 

“Having a counselor has helped us understand our students’ needs better and created a more inclusive, positive atmosphere in our classrooms,” shared a teacher involved in the program.

PCMC has extended mental health support to its secondary schools through a partnership with the mental health organization Sangath. The program currently covers 19 secondary schools, reaching over 5,500 students in classes 9 and 10. Funded by Bajaj Finance Ltd (Bajaj CSR), this initiative equips older students with strategies to manage academic pressures, bullying, and family issues, while offering tailored sessions on mental health and self-care. The program has been transformative for students, helping them gain confidence and improve their academic focus.

PCMC’s initiative also places a strong emphasis on creating an inclusive school culture that values mental health and personal growth. Sangath’s program for secondary schools has demonstrated a noticeable shift in student behavior, with reductions in bullying incidents, improved self-discipline, and increased interest in counseling services. Teachers report higher engagement levels and positive interactions in the classroom.

Program Highlights:

Supportive Environment: The counselling initiative, led by PCMC in collaboration with Sangath, reaches over 40,000 students in over 110 primary and secondary schools, fostering mental well-being. 

School Health Facilitators (SHFs): Trained professionals provide support in secondary schools, addressing issues like bullying, academic stress, and emotional challenges. In primary schools, the MITRA counsellors conduct sessions on health, hygiene, good touch bad touch, study habits, and handling emotions, helping students build resilience from an early age.

Positive Impact: Students report reduced exam stress, improved confidence, and better relationships with classmates, while teachers see a positive shift in classroom dynamics.

Community Engagement: The program extends its impact to families and communities, encouraging mental health awareness and openness around well-being, stated a press release.