Kolkata: Overlooking early signs of mental health concerns and labelling a student “naughty” or “lazy” can deprive the child of proper support or therapy she/he may require to have a healthy life ahead, said experts who got together at a workshop in the city.More than 80 senior educators and academics from prominent institutes, including Montessori schools, participated in the workshop, organised by Carring Minds International and Early Childhood Association of India on Tuesday. Several schools said instead of stigmatising the young ones, they had been identifying early warning signs among children, such as changing behaviour, isolation and sudden mood swings, from their regular classroom activities to support them.Experts pointed out that simple behavioural changes could indicate major concerns, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder. Minu Budhia, psychotherapist and founder of Carring Minds International, said, “Mental health should be a topic for breakfast table conversation in every Indian household. Everyone should be able to talk about it without stigma. Our mission is to bring mental healthcare of international standards within everyone’s reach. No case should be given up without a fight.” Budhia referenced her daughter and shared the story of their journey in overcoming hurdles.Urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul, who attended the event as the chief guest, said, “A community cannot grow resilient if our collective emotional and psychological well-being is ignored. Mental health is a public health priority, and it must become a community priority.”Pointing out how even apparently minor struggles in a child could assume an overwhelming proportion, BD Memorial School director Suman Sood said teachers were suitably positioned to observe such subtle changes and play a major role by documenting them for expert referral, rather than labelling a child “autistic” or “hyperactive”. “We are not doctors and we cannot diagnose, but teachers can be keen observers who document and refer. Every teacher should keep an eye out so they can notice, observe and document any unusual behaviour among students,” said Sood, a national core committee member of Early Childhood Association.The experts also highlighted that parental involvement was crucial in guiding children towards the right support. Sood added, “School heads need to create a system to communicate with parents on such matters as clear communication is the key. But it must be handled constructively without placing blames.”Echoing her, Sugandha Ramkumar, a senior trainer, said school heads and teachers should make parents feel comfortable and reassure them that they were not alone in this journey. Swati Sarawgi, territory head of Early Childhood Association and director of Swarnim International School, said they had taken initiatives to raise awareness and foster a supportive environment for every child’s future.
