5 ways schools can prioritize mental health

Community-driven conversations have the power to drive meaningful change in education. Promoting holistic counseling practices ensures that schools can support students in discovering their purpose and achieving their potential. This vision centers on transforming education systems to prioritize guidance, well-being, and future-readiness for every student. In his recent article in The Tribune, Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, addresses the urgent need for mental health support in schools. His insights remind us that educational success cannot exist without emotional well-being.

Here are five key takeaways from the? article, presented from a counseling perspective, to help schools create meaningful, long-lasting change:

1. Start Career Counseling Early to Build Resilience

One of the most profound points raised in the article is the importance of starting career counseling earlier than Class IX. The IC3 Institute’s 2024 Annual Student Quest Report (SQR) confirms that initiating career guidance at this stage can significantly reduce stress by helping students make informed decisions about their futures.

Career counseling is not just about choosing a profession—it’s about helping students discover their purpose, build self-awareness, identify strengths, and set realistic goals. When students understand their unique paths, they feel more in control of their lives, reducing anxiety about the future.

Early intervention can lay a foundation of emotional resilience that prepares students for both academic and personal challenges.

2. Leverage Technology for Personalized Guidance

Technology can be a powerful ally in delivering personalized counseling services in today's digital age. The article highlights how AI tools like ChatGPT are already being used by 85% of students for career advice, and 74% of counselors have also embraced AI-based educational tools to streamline administrative tasks.

While AI cannot replace human counselors, it can enhance their capacity to provide personalized guidance. For instance, AI can assist students in exploring career options, researching universities, and preparing for interviews—freeing up counselors to focus on students' emotional and mental health needs.

Schools can integrate digital tools thoughtfully, ensuring they complement rather than replace human interaction and strike a beautiful balance between efficiency and empathy.

3. Create Supportive School Environments

The data, according to IC3 Institute’s Students Suicide Report, is sobering—13,044 student suicides were recorded in 2022, highlighting a crisis that demands immediate attention. Schools must go beyond academics to create environments that prioritize emotional well-being.

The article discusses initiatives like gatekeeper training—equipping teachers, parents, and staff to recognize and intervene when students show signs of distress. Programs such as School Play, where students engage in mental health-themed performances, also help reduce stigma and create spaces for open dialogue.

A supportive environment is a collaborative effort - schools must involve teachers, parents, and the wider community in fostering safe spaces where students feel heard and valued.

4. Train School Stakeholders for Suicide Prevention

The UMMEED guidelines referenced in the article emphasize the need for capacity-building programs that train all stakeholders to identify warning signs of suicide and self-harm.

Capacity building is a crucial component of mental health support, and schools should provide ongoing training for teachers, staff, and even parents to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and care. Maintaining accessible resources such as helplines and counselor contact details ensures that students in crisis receive immediate support.

By embedding these practices into the school framework, we can shift from a reactive to a preventive approach to mental health.

5. Foster Holistic Growth Through Counseling

Education should never be a zero-sum game where academic achievement comes at the cost of emotional well-being—integrating activities like meditation, art therapy, and peer-led support groups to foster holistic growth.

Schools must leverage the power of purpose-driven education. When students are encouraged to explore their interests, passions, and emotions, they become more resilient and self-assured individuals. Counseling is at the heart of this holistic growth—guiding students toward academic success and personal fulfillment.

The Path Forward: From Crisis to Care

This article underscores a simple truth: Schools have a unique opportunity to transform education by prioritizing mental health. Let’s keep advancing in this mission through counseling resources, training programs, and community engagement.

Educators, counselors, and parents can reflect on the five takeaways of this article and create a future where every child feels supported, understood, and valued. Together, we can make counseling an integral part of education—ensuring that no student ever feels alone in their journey.