Pune (Voice News Service): “World Mental Health Day encourages us to consider the often-overlooked challenges that many individuals face in silence as a collective responsibility. At the heart of outreach lies a commitment to the well-being of people. This day calls upon businesses to prioritise mental health initiatives, foster inclusive workplaces, and erase the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. We, as corporate leaders, have a profound role to play in not only providing support to our employees but also in promoting awareness and understanding.
At Embassy, we work towards uplifting the students at our adopted government schools through various initiatives in education and health. After the COVID-19 pandemic and the mass closures of schools, students and schools struggled to address their emotional and psychological needs.
Providing support during this challenging period, Embassy has instituted several programmes, including an expressive art movement therapy project we piloted in partnership with Studio For Movement Arts & Therapy, called “Swayam.” Our primary objectives with Swayam are to facilitate authentic self-discovery, promote overall well-being, build resilience, and enable students to identify and access the support they require.
In addition to Swayam, we believe in the transformative power of the arts and crafts. We strive to enhance students’ creativity and fine motor skills across 15 government schools while seamlessly integrating academic concepts into the learning process. Moreover, we’ve initiated a unique weaving programme, employing upcycled sarees, to provide targeted support to students dealing with behavioural issues.
Furthermore, our commitment to the holistic development of government school students extends to sports programmes that are designed not only to improve physical fitness but also to instil essential values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. We rigorously assess students’ progress in these areas through the lens of social-emotional learning, utilising observable skills and mentor observations.
Finally, we have also partnered with United Efforts to uplift and hand-hold students through mentorship and career counselling. This has helped students gain a sense of direction and reduce anxiety about their futures.
However, more needs to be done. It’s time for us to join hands, advocate for policy changes, allocate resources, and pave the way for a future where mental health care is a fundamental right for every citizen. On this World Mental Health Day, let us commit to working tirelessly towards a society where mental health is prioritised, stigma is erased, and support is readily available to all those in need.”
