Keralam will organize a statewide campaign for the mental health of students

Representative image. | Photo credit: Getty Images

The Health Ministry is all set to organize a nationwide awareness campaign called ‘Study Happy’ (Santhoshathode Padikkam) to protect the mental health of students and create a happy learning environment for them.

Organized in collaboration with the Education Department and as part of the World Mental Health Day, the campaign will be held from October 12 to 17 in government schools and all government-controlled educational institutions across the state, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said here on Thursday (October 8, 2026).

The campaign will prioritize early identification of students facing academic pressure, test anxiety, anxiety and isolation and provide them with the necessary counselling, mental health support and follow-up care.

Awareness sessions

Awareness courses, debates, counseling sessions and creative activities will be organized for students. There will also be special information sessions on the role of teachers and parents in protecting children’s mental health.

Special programs will be organized to protect students from falling into substance abuse and to raise awareness of their harmful effects. Necessary guidance and counseling support will be provided to prevent children from falling into bad company or circumstances that could lead them astray.

Mr. Muraleedharan directed that the services of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, mental health experts, counselors and others under the health department and medical education department be fully utilized for the campaign.

All the resources of the state medical schools, the district mental health program and the district health administrations will be used to provide the necessary counseling and professional services in the schools. Taking into account the specific mental health needs of students with disabilities, appropriate mental health support, counseling and education will be provided for them, along with their active participation in all campaign activities.

Misconceptions, stigma

In order to reduce mental health misconceptions and stigma related to mental health, informational messages will be disseminated with the active participation of students, teachers and parents.

The Minister also said that the Director of Health Services and Director of Medical Education have been mandated to effectively implement the campaign at the district level and submit a report at the state level.

Published – 8 Oct 2026 21:56 IST