Ensuring Emotional Well-being of Rural Students During the COVID Pandemic The COVID pandemic affected rural students in several ways leading to an increased sense of fear, anxiety and emotional instability. In these challenging times, Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth, Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul and Shrimad Rajchandra Skill Development Centre undertook a proactive approach to support students with tools for their emotional and mental well-being. A dedicated team from these institutions, consisting of senior faculty members, assistant professors, skill-trainers and lab-assistants made personal calls to nearly 1,200 students in a week’s time to understand and ensure their emotional, physical, academical as well as financial wellbeing. Counseling and special online sessions were conducted for students who were adversely affected due to the pandemic. Sevarpits who had tested positive for COVID or lost their family members were provided with all required assistance to tide over the tough times. Pujya Gurudevshri graciously sent His blessings. Additionally, sessions were also conducted by MPOWER; a foundation established by Mrs. Neerja Birla and Ms. Ananya Birla to tender quality mental health care to individuals by empowering people living with psycho-social difficulties to lead meaningful lives, without social exclusion. The sessions were on topics like general mental health awareness, building resilience, dealing with superstitions, dealing with peer pressure, managing stress etc., which benefitted over 300 students of the educational institutions of Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care. A two-day Teachers’ Training Programme was also conducted for teachers of the Educational Outreach Programme on how to counsel and help students who are facing mental health issues like depression, anxiety, substance dependence and other psychological challenges. These initiatives have supported the educational aspirations of rural students in the midst of a crisis.
