- By Ritesh Kumar
- Thu, 05 Oct 2023 04:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In an effort to address the growing incidence of self-harm among students, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has introduced a set of preliminary guidelines for schools called 'UMMEED,' which stands for 'Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathise, Empower, Develop.' These guidelines primarily aim to foster greater awareness and support for students who may be at risk to self-harm.
The draft guidelines emphasise the foundational belief that 'Every Child Matters,' which drives their development with the goal of preventing student suicides. They emphasise that when students struggle to cope with personal and social challenges, the potential consequences may include feelings of sadness, discontentment, frustration, mood swings, hopelessness, and, in severe cases, self-harm, including suicide.
The UMMEED guidelines propose the establishment of a School Wellness Team (SWT) within schools to identify students displaying warning signs and promptly respond with supportive measures. The draft covers various aspects, including 'Myths and Facts about Suicide,' 'Factors Influencing Suicide,' and 'Warning Signs of Students at Risk.'
Furthermore, the guidelines suggest that schools periodically reevaluate and adjust the composition of the SWT based on available resources to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to enhance their awareness and capabilities. The effectiveness and performance of the SWT should undergo an annual review.
To effectively prevent further suicides, the guidelines recommend that schools proactively enhance the capacity of all stakeholders, including teachers, school staff, students, students' families, and others. This structured approach ensures that everyone can play a role in identifying and supporting individuals at risk.
Check Experts Reaction Here
Monica Malhotra Kandhari, the Managing Director of MBD Group and AASOKA, emphasised the critical importance of prioritising the mental well-being of students. She stated, "The mental well-being of our students has been truly alarming over the past few years, as we're left in shock whenever we read about another mishap committed by our youngsters. It is high time that we recognize this situation. Therefore, the UMMEED guidelines have brought in a ray of hope, which would provide valuable insights into identifying, addressing, and preventing self-harm behavior among students."
“As someone deeply concerned about the emotional and psychological state of our youth, I find the UMMEED initiative to be a useful resource. I'm hopeful that these guidelines will promote an empathetic approach towards supporting our students in times of pressure and emphasise the importance of open communication. It's high time that we focus on nurturing a safe and open educational environment for all, and I believe these guidelines will greatly benefit both students and educators in our community. We all should also create awareness about early warning signs and help those who are at risk of self-harm around us," she added.
Aarul Malaviya, Founder of Zamit, highlighted the pressing concern of enhancing sensitivity and understanding regarding students' mental health in schools. He expressed his views, stating, "I think enhancing sensitivity and understanding of students' mental health is one of the prime concerns our schools are facing today, and these guidelines by the Education Ministry are a very positive step in this direction. The draft guidelines aim at identifying students exhibiting warning signs and at risk of self-harm. Today, India is facing some extreme cases of suicide by students due to a number of reasons including academic pressure and unfair expectations of parents or teachers. All these factors lead to a sense of hopelessness and constant feelings of sadness among the student community. The latest set of guidelines by the Ministry will ensure that schools work actively towards tackling this challenge by involving all stakeholders from teachers to school staff and from students to their families. As a well-wisher and guide of the student community, I extend full support on behalf of Zamit for this much-needed intervention that will prevent further damage."
Sujatha Kshirsagar, President and Chief Business Officer at Career Launcher, welcomed the Education Ministry's newly drafted guidelines as a positive step aimed at preventing self-harm among students. She expressed her perspective, stating, "The newly drafted guidelines introduced by the Education Ministry is a welcome move in the right direction, aimed at preventing self-harm by students. UMMEED guidelines are a crucial step towards addressing the mental health challenges that our students face, especially in the competitive environment of coaching institutes.
"At Career Launcher, we believe that education is not just about academics but also about nurturing the holistic well-being of our students. The guidelines align perfectly with our mission to provide not only academic excellence but also emotional support. Together, we can work towards creating a safer and more compassionate educational ecosystem. Let us embrace UMMEED as a ray of hope and support for our students' mental well-being," she added.