Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. (1)
Mental Health is as important as physical health, yet it remains a topic often ignored in many communities, including Nepal. Mental health awareness is essential ,especially for school children,who go through emotional ups and downs due to academic pressure,social expectations,and personal challenges.
In our recent mental health workshop conducted in schools of Jitpurphedi, we asked students a simple question:” What is Mental Health?”Surprisingly, while some were aware, many had never thought about it. Some students were shy, some were curious, and a few were utterly unaware of mental health issues, but they listened carefully and participated eagerly.
This made me realize just how important mental health awareness is, especially in schools where children spend a significant portion of their day.Schools are not only places of learning but also spaces where students should feel supported,emotionally and psychologically.Teaching children how to understand their emotions,cope with stress,and talk openly about their mental wellbeing could make a lasting impact on their lives.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools
Globally,10-20% of children and adolescents suffer from mental disorders, with half of them starting by the age of 14 and three-quarters before the age of 25. In Nepal,40% of the population is younger than 18 years of age, meaning a large proportion of people are at risk of developing a mental disorder. There has been a recent recognition of child and adolescent mental health problems in Nepal, but before this, it remained almost invisible on the health agenda. (3)
Schools,being the second home for children,are the ideal place to address mental health awareness and provide early intervention. Schools prioritizing mental health education can help students recognize their emotions, cope with stress, and build resilience to face life’s difficulties. It is about creating an environment where mental health is treated equally as physical health.
What We Did: Engaging Activities in Our Mental Health Workshop
During our mental health workshop, we conducted various activities to make learning fun, interactive, and practical. Our goal was to help the student understand mental health, express their feelings, and break the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Our mission was to create an environment where students could express their feelings, reflect on their emotions, and gain an understanding of what mental health means. To do this, we designed various interactive activities to engage the students in a fun and creative way.
Understanding Emotions Through Colors
One of the most impactful activities we conducted was using colors to help the students understand and express their emotions.Instead of aksing them to describe how they felt with words,we gave them a black piece of paper and set of colors,each respresenting a different emotion.The idea was to allow them to choose the color that best represented their feelings at the moment.
The students were intrigued by this approach. As we handed out colors, I could see their curiosity spark. We asked the students to think about their feelings and match their emotions with one of the colors provided. Each color had its unique meaning:
- Yellow: Feeling happy and cheerful
- Blue: Feeling calm, Peaceful, relaxed
- Black: Sad, Lonely, Hopeless
- Green: Fresh, Hope, Balanced
- Red: Angry, Frustrated
- Pink: Loved, warm, Comfort
- Purple: Confused, lost
- Grey: Bored, Numb, Tired
When we first began the activity, many students instantly picked yellow, which symbolizes happiness and positivity.It was encouraging to see so many students felling upbeat and joyful.However,there were also a few students who selected black and grey,indicating feelings of sadness,loneliness,or tiredness.Some students chose pink and purple, signaling they were feeling loved but perhaps a little confused by the challenges they were facing.
Intrestingly,a small group picked red,which was a sign of anger and frustration,possibly related to schoolwork,peer relationships or other personal issues.This activity gave them an outlet to express their emotions freely,with no fear of being judged.
Furthermore, mental health issues among children are often linked to socioeconomic conditions. Many Nepali children, particularly in rural areas, experience family problems such as domestic violence, parental divorce, and substance abuse. Additionally,caste-based discrimination, child marriage, and child labor continue to affect children’s mental wellbeing. Natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, further increase their vulnerability. Families with migrant workers are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Given these challenges, providing children with safe spaces to express their emotions and seek support is crucial. (4)
After the activity, we encouraged the students to talk about their choices. It was inspiring to see how this activity sparked deeper conversations about their feelings. Students began to recognize patterns in their emotions and understood that it was okay to experience a range of feelings.
Through this simple yet powerful exercise, we wanted them to take away that mental health isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s something to talk about, to understand, and to care for, just like we care for our bodies.
Conclusion: A Step Towards Mental Health Awareness
The mental health workshop we held in different schools of Jitpurphedi was a learning experience for both the students and me. It showed how important it is to create a safe space where children can talk about their feelings and learn about mental health.
Teaching children about mental health early can make a big difference. When they learn to express their emotions and understand their feelings, they become better at handling challenges in life. This helps them grow into strong, caring, and confident individuals.
By organizing workshops, fun activities, and open discussions, we can make mental health a topic that is easy to discuss. It should not be something people hide or ignore.Instead,we should support and care for mental heealth just as we do for physical health.Its time to build a world where everyone understands,accepts and takes care of their mental wellbeing.
This experience was made possible with the support of Volunteer Initiatives Nepal, which helped me gain valuable insights and opportunities to work with students on such an important topic.
References:
- Mental Health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
- Chaulagain, Ashmita, et al. ‘Child and Adolescent Mental Health Problems in Nepal: A Scoping Review.’ International Journal of Mental Health Systems, vol. 13, no. 1, Aug. 2019, p. 53. Springer Link, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0310-y.
- Adhikari, Sirjana, et al. ‘Parental Wellbeing, Parenting, and Child Mental Health in Families with Young Children in Arghakhanchi, Nepal’. BMC Pediatrics, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 2025, p. 6. Springer Link, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05358-x.
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