Supporting Emotional Wellbeing during the current times of Distress

While the pandemic seems to have directly impacted the socio-economic well being of families and education of their children, the long-term social exclusion and grief of losing close family members has also severely impacted the mental well-being of children. Even when the schools reopen, it will be critical to address the emotional wellbeing of children as their ability to engage with school systems has been severely impacted. In the same direction a contribution of ₹2,600 shall ensure yearlong SEL sessions for a child beneficiary enrolled with a municipal school working with Apni Shala Foundation.

The spread of COVID-19 has significantly pronounced the need to address individuals' mental health needs, particularly children and caregivers in marginalized and low-income communities. With the spread of the virus in slum communities, loss of income and job opportunities, being locked in small home spaces, many times with difficult family situations, the life situations of many young children and their caregivers have become grim with fear, anxiety, and inability to manage complex emotions in such ambiguous times. The intersectionality of poverty and mental health is well-documented. Lower mental health and higher stress have also been linked to decreased immunity, hence increasing the probability of infection. The impact of a pandemic on mental wellbeing, especially of children, is long term. Even when the schools reopen (which right now is not a case in Mumbai and most parts of India), it will be critical to address the emotional wellbeing of children as their ability to engage with school systems has been severely impacted. To add to that, many have lost family members, lost learning practice and have missed social interactions. The trauma emerging from these experiences will need addressal at design level. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) helps create a thriving ecosystem.

In order to respond to these contextual realities, we recognised the need to work at the intersection of education and mental health. Through a focus on promotive/preventive mental health, Apni Shala works towards building systems of social and emotional development and wellbeing, in schools and educational organisations. With long-term established relationships and ongoing interventions that we had, it has enabled us to pioneer online/phone-based social-emotional development. This year, we are working with 18 municipal schools and 3 NGOs. Through this project, we seek support for 5 municipal schools (5 grades each). Given below are key action steps:

• SEL sessions with 625 municipal students
• Weekly online SEL sessions using games, audio-visuals, art, and story-telling, through asynchronous (Whatsapp) and synchronous (Zoom, etc) methods. For students not accessible online, team does bi-weekly check-in calls to offer wellbeing support.
• Quarterly Mental health awareness with caregivers, aimed at developing awareness and abilities in parents to nurture SEL in their children at home.
• Quarterly teacher engagement sessions, to develop awareness and abilities in teachers to support students’ SEL development in school
• End-of-year online learning showcases in each school to help ALL students share their learning with the larger school and parents.

1. Build higher resilience and emotional wellbeing among over 625 children, their families, and at least 25 municipal teachers
2. Develop stronger social relationships such that they don't feel isolated, lonely and helpless while the schools are still shut
3. Create access to spaces where students can process their traumatic experiences (eg., loved ones passed away, friends moved away, etc) and build safety for themselves and their community