How does counselling at international schools take place for children's emotional and personal wellbeing?

In most international schools today, the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all its stakeholders has always been a priority and is given its due importance. Being one of the best A level schools in Mumbai , the Aditya Birla World Academy, is constantly striving to nurture the innate potential of each and every child and works effortlessly towards this goal. Our learners from a very young age explore wellness and wellbeing through various events and initiatives conducted across the year. This aids in reducing the risks to their well-being later on in life.

That being said, well-being whether it is emotional, social and/or personal is a very important part of growing up and is essential to creating conditions in which effective teaching as well as learning can take place. Most IB schools in Mumbai, lay a lot of emphasis and importance on creating a body of emotionally as well as socially healthy learners. It is these learners who have within their stride resilience, confidence, esteem and are able to navigate themselves smoothly through the various challenges as well as obstacles that come in their path.

As the world is changing in its view of mental health, it is imperative for schools to create as well as run curriculums and programs that contribute to wellbeing of the individual, school and ultimately to a learner’s academic success. Keeping this vision in mind, the Aditya Birla World Academy runs a mental, social and emotional needs curriculum called Minds Matter across the school. In most international schools in Mumbai in order to ensure the wellbeing of its stakeholders, mental health professionals are employed not only to create awareness but also to equip learners with healthy coping mechanisms to deal with everyday challenges.

These counselors assess a learner, observe them in the school setting, conduct individual, group as well as family sessions with an aim to empower as well as equip each individual with healthy coping mechanisms and conflict resolution/prevention techniques. Being an international school in Mumbai, the counselors are part of various other initiatives too, which allow all stakeholders to discover themselves, their strengths and develop into healthy functioning individuals.

The counselors at all international schools in Mumbai monitor a learner’s development and provide support to help them make realistic decisions, improve their skills, manage time wisely, regulate their emotions, develop healthy thinking patterns and adjust themselves in their environment constructively. Our key emphasis on client confidentiality is essential in counseling and our learners develop a sense of trust as well as respect as a consequence.

Most international schools in Mumbai or best 10 schools in Mumbai including ours work with the teachers, administrators and parent body. The counselors collaborate with the teachers and administration to identify barriers to a learner’s academic as well as personal growth and together develop interventions to address them. Teachers are aided to identify the talents, potential and uniqueness of their learners. At ABWA, the best A level school in Mumbai, our teachers are provided with training sessions to understand the various kinds of mental illness and become Mental Health First-Aiders too. This equips them with the right knowledge and pre-emptive steps to create a safe as well as healthy environment for all the learners.

A lot of emphasis is given to the role a parent plays in a child’s life and the counselors consult the parents in order to work together to create a safe, caring and supportive environment for them. Parents are requested to break away from the stigma of seeking support and are encouraged to reach out to other parents with similar issues. This creates connections and a feeling of empathy is further enhanced. At ABWA, we have workshops as well as run parent support groups with the same aim in mind. Today, parents want to be aware, attuned and proactively present for their children. This allows the school to receive adequate support to create awareness and lower mental health issues that are on the rise.

To conclude, each and every stakeholder is as vital in creating an emotionally stable, mentally balanced and all-rounded individual. Also, due to the immediate and goal-focused interventions, most schools in Mumbai are able to provide support as well as assistance to their learners, teachers and parents constructively.

Also read, Tips and advice for parents before getting their children enrolled in an international school in Mumbai-
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/tips-and-advice-for-parents-before-getting-their-children-enrolled-in-an-international-school

How much do best international schools in Mumbai focus on extra and co- curricular activities? What are the activities included?-
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/how-much-do-best-international-schools-focus-on-extra-and-co-curricular-activities-what-are-the-activities-included

How do IB schools help children follow their passion? Which are the ib schools in Mumbai to look at?-
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/how-do-ib-schools-help-children-follow-their-passion-which-are-the-ib-schools-in-south-mumbai-to-look-at

Is IBDP worth it in India and what are the advantages of studying in IBDP-
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/is-ibdp-worth-it-in-india-and-what-are-the-advantages-of-studying-in-ibdp