CBSE mandates mental-health training in schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education has directed all affiliated schools to institutionalise structured mental-health training for both teaching and non-teaching staff, signalling a policy shift that places student well-being alongside academic outcomes.

Under the new mandate, schools are expected to conduct training twice a year, covering psychological first aid, early identification of emotional distress, crisis response protocols, and referral mechanisms for professional support. The directive also encourages the integration of socio-emotional learning practices within classrooms and the strengthening of counselling support systems.

The move comes amid rising concern over academic stress, behavioural challenges, and post-pandemic adjustment issues among students, and reflects a broader effort to embed preventive mental-health frameworks within school ecosystems rather than relying solely on reactive interventions.