Chandigarh: Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said the state government would pay special attention to the mental health of schoolchildren. For this purpose, an annual activity calendar for the SAATH (Support & Awareness for Adolescents Through Parents) programme will be prepared in coordination with the nodal officers of the Health and Education Departments.
Arti Singh Rao said that the National Health Mission (NHM), Haryana, in collaboration with the School Education Department, is set to launch the SAATH programme. This state-wide initiative will transform schools into regular meeting points for parents, teachers and the healthcare system. Through monthly sessions organised in schools, parents and guardians of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (Classes 6 to 12) will learn to recognise early signs of emotional distress, communicate openly with their children and approach the appropriate services for help.
Any child requiring support will be assisted through a clearly defined referral pathway, beginning with the teacher or parent, followed by the school counsellor, Community Health Centre (CHC), adolescent health or Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) services, and specialist care wherever necessary. Follow-up will be ensured at every stage.
Dr. Dhillon also informed that each participating school will prepare an annual SAATH activity calendar in coordination with designated health and education nodal officers. Each session will be conducted by a school nodal person, a trained facilitator and an associated Adolescent Friendly Health Clinic (AFHC), also known as a Maitri Clinic.
