Empathy and Support Take Centre Stage As Calcutta International School Celebrates World Mental Health Day!

On the 4th of October, the Psychology students of Calcutta International School marked World Mental Health Day with a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy and support. Guided by Mrs Debalina Mitra Chatterjee, Head of the Department, Humanities and Psychology faculty, and Mrs Amrita Nandy, faculty of Psychology, the event centred on organising an awareness program within the school, mainly focused on students.

As Mrs Amrita Nandy, faculty of Psychology, observed, "In this fast paced world of ours many a times we forget to take care of ourselves particularly our mental health. On the occasion of World Mental Health Day we at CIS took this opportunity to make the students, teachers realise yet again that they do matter! Also the fact that we experience varied emotions at times even negative ones is an integral part of our existence as human beings."

A standout school-wide activity involved the distribution of heartfelt cards, each carrying a meaningful message. Both teachers and students were encouraged to choose a card, pen down a personalised message, and deliver it to someone who held a special place in their hearts. In addition to this, the students conducted workshops for their peers in classes 9-10. These workshops featured activities like art-based self-expression and role-playing centred around various themes. The workshops provided a safe and nurturing space for students to share their thoughts, and the diversity of ideas and perspectives that emerged were truly inspiring.

Fostering open conversations and mutual understanding is pivotal in promoting emotional well-being and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health. This was the overarching objective of the psychology students on World Mental Health Day, and they took a meaningful step in that direction.