""From Gratitude to Resilience: Students Speak Up for Mental Health"

The School Health and Wellness Student Talk Assembly, held in September 2024, aimed to raise awareness about mental health, foster emotional resilience, and encourage open conversations within the school community. The talks emphasized the importance of mutual support in navigating mental health challenges across various grade levels, from primary to senior segments. Primary Segment (Grades 1-2): Date: September 11, 2024 Theme: Everyday Blessings: Finding Joy in Little Things Speaker: Venkata Rupa (Grade 1 Fire) Supporting students: Vihaan Sah, Shreshta Kiran, and Siya Noojibail Key Message: Venkata Rupa delivered a heartfelt speech highlighting the significance of appreciating small, often overlooked joys in everyday life. The talk encouraged students to focus on gratitude and the value of life’s simple blessings. The session concluded with a beautiful gratitude song performed by the supporting students, reminding everyone to cherish the little things. Upper Primary Segment (Grades 3-5): Date: September 9, 2024 Theme: Keeping Our Minds Happy and Healthy: Coping Mechanisms Presenters: Students from Grade 5 Air Key Message: Students presented valuable coping strategies to help manage stress and maintain mental well-being. Through relatable examples and visual aids, the session taught that while stress is normal, it can be effectively managed using tools like relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and open communication. The focus was on developing healthy mental habits for long-term well-being. Middle Segment (Grades 6-8): Date: September 11, 2024 Theme: Building Resilience: Understanding Emotions and Supporting Mental Health Speaker: Riddhi Dodiya (Grade 8 Earth) Key Message: Riddhi's insightful talk focused on understanding and managing emotions through healthy habits such as mindfulness, exercise, and seeking support when needed. She emphasized the importance of building a supportive school community that prioritizes mental health, helping students to develop emotional resilience and understand their feelings better. Senior Segment (Grades 9-10): Date: September 9, 2024 Theme: Peer Power: Uniting for Mental Health and Well-being Speaker: Ojal Anantwar (Grade 9 Light) Key Message: Ojal spoke about the strength of peer support and how shared experiences can contribute to emotional resilience and reduce feelings of isolation. She encouraged students to be open about their struggles and to actively support one another, highlighting the collective power of unity in improving mental health and well-being within the school community.