Sun, Jan 28, 2024
Sun, Jan 28, 2024
ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS Eight in 10 (81 per cent) middle to higher-secondary class students in India reported feeling anxiety over academics – particularly studies (50 per cent) and exams and results (31 per cent).
Besides, almost half of these kids (49 per cent) were not satisfied with their personal life, and close to half (45 per cent) were not happy with their body image.
However, over two-thirds of the students (67 per cent) have said happiness was their most frequently experienced emotion, a survey on ‘mental health and well-being of school students' conducted by the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) shows. The survey findings were released ahead of World Mental Health Day (October 10).
Girl students were found to be partially more anxious about academics – 81.1 per cent compared to 77.7 per cent boys and unhappier as 64.4 per cent girls reported happiness as frequent emotion, compared to 67.7 per cent boys. Girls also more frequently reported mood swings, and feelings of being tired, tearful and lonely.
The survey was conducted among 3,79,842 students from class VI to XII in government and private schools across 28 states and eight Union territories. The respondents included 1.88 lakh girls and 1.91 lakh boys.
The aim of the survey, conducted by Manodarpan Cell of the NCERT, was to gain an understanding of the perception of school students on different aspects of mental health and well-being. The findings of the survey are expected to provide inputs for strengthening aspects contributing to the holistic education of children thereby taking forward the vision of National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
Manodarpan is an initiative of the ministry of education (MoE) as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, aimed at providing psycho-social support to students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being during the times of Covid-19 and beyond, the report mentioned.
The overall survey findings show that as high as 84 per cent students felt responsible for doing well in their life while 73 per cent reported experiencing satisfaction with school life. However, only 51 per cent, including 50 per cent girls and 52 per cent boys, reported being satisfied with their personal life.
About 54 per cent girls and 56 per cent boys reported satisfaction with their body image. A majority of students (70 per cent) considered themselves to be trustworthy and 58 per cent did not hesitate in seeking social support, which is a protective factor for maintaining a state of mental well-being.
Younger students are happier, more confident
As students moved from middle to secondary stage, a visible decline was observed in them feeling confident about their physical appearance, satisfaction with personal and school life, availability of people to share their feelings and experience of happiness, the survey reported. At the secondary stage, the students reported feeling more anxious about studies, examination and results. They also reported increased difficulty in concentrating and frequent mood swings.
To manage their feelings, both girls and boys chose to talk to friends (49 per cent), followed by sharing with their parents (24 per cent) and lastly resolving them on their own. While girls preferred to confide in their parents or resolve by themselves, boys showed more preference towards confiding in their friends.
Yoga and meditation (28 per cent), changing the way they think (28 per cent) and writing journals were some of the coping strategies adopted, as evident in responses. Specifically, girls’ responses demonstrate changing the way they think as the most employed strategy, suggesting the use of the ability of self-reflection. However, boys reported a high preference for yoga and meditation.
The survey also covered the emotions experienced by students, especially during the unprecedented times of Covid-19, the attempts of continuing teaching online and challenges experienced by students. About 14 per cent students reported feeling extreme emotions related to the pandemic, while 43 per cent reported mood swings. About 39 per cent reported lack of social interaction due to online classes, while more than half (51 per cent) reported difficulties in learning online content.
Third gender perception
The perception of respondents who identified themselves as belonging to the third gender, though small in number ( just 11), show that most of them are not confident of their physical appearance, and find it difficult to trust others. This is substantiated by most of them reporting non-availability of support to share and discuss their feelings, though most of them stated that they frequently provide help and support to others whenever they can.
It was also reported by a majority of students that they would not be respected if they do not do well in studies and hence, most of them perceived studies as the reason for anxiety. School aspects of the survey showed that the group was satisfied with school life, and perceived doing well in life as their own responsibility.
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