Sets new standard for fostering mental health education nationwide
LearnX, learning solution platform dedicated to empowering educators worldwide, announced today its partnership with 203 Delhi Public School (DPS) chain schools. Through this partnership, LearnX is set to provide comprehensive and structured training in mental health and wellbeing to approximately 15225 teaching and non- teaching staff at DPS chain schools, thereby impacting an estimated half a million students over an academic year.
The announcement of the partnership was made during a felicitation ceremony for the educators who had completed the LearnX program at DPS Faridabad and DPS Bangalore North. Present at the ceremony were esteemed panel of guest namely Dr. Daniel Fung, CEO, Institute of Mental Health; Mr V K Shunglu, Vice Chairman, DPS Society, Anil Kumar, Principal, DPS Faridabad; Sangeeta Chakravarty, Simmy Kant, Jyoti Dhall, and Sandipan Rishi the Vice Principals, DPS Faridabad, Chandrakant Singh, Managing Director, LearnX, Priya Irani, Co-Founder, LearnX; and Principals of DPS in Delhi NCR Region
“Mental health education plays a crucial role in nurturing the overall well-being of individuals, particularly among younger generations, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the support they need to thrive,” said Dr. Daniel Fung, CEO, Institute of Mental Health. “This partnership between LearnX and DPS schools marks a significant step forward in ensuring that educators are equipped with the proper tools to address the mental health needs of students and they receive the necessary support and guidance to effectively navigate mental health challenges.”
Globally, one in five young people experience mental health challenge each year, with illnesses like depression and anxiety acting as significant impediments to academic success for many students. Worldwide, WHO estimates around 14% of adolescents aged between 10 to 19 years of age experience a mental illness, accounting for 13% of the global burden of illnesses in this age group. The severity of this issue is exacerbated in India, where there is an acute shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. This underlines a profound care gap in a country where it is estimated nearly 15% of the population suffers from mental health issues, predominantly depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders.
In India, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises the importance of the mental health and emotional well-being of students and the need to implement effective measures to establish a secure and inclusive school environment. “We also firmly believe that teachers are not just educators; they are often the first line of defence when it comes to identifying and addressing mental health issues in young people. They spend a significant amount of time with their students, giving them a unique vantage point to observe changes in behaviour, emotional states, and academic performance,” shared Chandrakant Singh, Managing Director, LearnX. “We are thrilled to partner with DPS schools to champion mental education initiatives across India in addition to adoption of NEP 2020. By working together, we can empower teachers with the knowledge and resources needed to make a positive impact on the lives of students. We look forward to embarking on this journey together and creating a brighter future for the younger generation,” added Singh.
Anil Kumar, Principal, DPS Faridabad, emphasized the importance of integrating mental education into the school curriculum, stating, “Our collaboration with LearnX underscores our commitment to providing a holistic education that addresses the diverse needs of our students. By equipping educators with the skills to promote mental well-being, we can create a supportive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”
LearnX’s commitment to fostering mental health wellness has been evident in their previous initiatives. In 2022, LearnX in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) Niti Aayog launched a first of its kind International Certificate Program for educators in India for inclusive development. The Pilot program aimed to upskill teachers on ‘Transformative Teaching for Inclusive Development. Over a period of two years, approximately 15000 teachers from 10,000 schools across India thereby touching lives of 500,000 children. The partnership with DPS chain of schools marks the next phase for LearnX and further strengthen its ongoing efforts to address youth mental health and provide crucial support to teachers, parents and students alike throughout India.