Schools as First Responders: Handling Mental Health and Safety in Kids

Schools in India have a severe lack of mental health programs that cover crucial topics like sexuality and personal safety. To address this, a project was initiated in 162 government schools, targeting nearly 21, 000 children over two years. These kids were in grades 6 to 10 and attended sessions about gender, sexuality, and staying safe. Surprisingly, 44 children bravely shared experiences of sexual abuse. This discovery set off a coordinated effort involving schools, the child protection system, and police to tackle these serious issues. However, it was found that legal and policy protections weren't properly followed in schools. Each sector—schools, police, and child protection services—faced significant challenges. These included a lack of essential skills, poor coordination among sectors, and no long-term approach to addressing health and safety needs. Because each sector has unique roles and hurdles, it's crucial to create a framework that gives schools a central role in liaising with others, especially those familiar with child protection.