Vidya Bhawan Wellness Program
The concept of wellness at Vidya Bhawan is deeply rooted in the institution’s ethos. Since its inception, Vidya Bhawan has placed the emotional and mental well-being of its community — students, staff, and parents — at the core of its philosophy. We believe that a happy and healthy mind is the foundation of meaningful learning, living, and social contribution.
Mental health remains one of the most neglected aspects of public health in India. Support systems are scarce, stigma is widespread, and schools and colleges often struggle in silence. At Vidya Bhawan, wellness is not just a program — it is an institutionalised, ongoing effort to foster safe, compassionate, and healthy spaces for all.
In 2016, the Vidya Bhawan community experienced a tragic loss — a student’s death by suicide. This heartbreaking event served as a wake-up call and a catalyst for change. Educators, leaders, and stakeholders came together with one collective commitment: no one should ever feel this alone again. Out of this urgent need, the Wellness Team was formed and formally launched in July 2017.
The Wellness Department was established to facilitate psychosocial well-being and provide mental, emotional, and social health awareness across Vidya Bhawan institutions. Many students and staff face significant pressure and challenges, including anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicidal ideation. In a society where mental health support is often considered taboo, the Wellness Team provides a safe, confidential, and empathetic space for those in need.
The department functions with a clear structure and a deeply social understanding of well-being. It plays a preventive and therapeutic role within the Vidya Bhawan ecosystem, addressing mental health concerns proactively and compassionately. In cases that require medical intervention, appropriate referrals and protocols are followed.
One of the unique features of this centre is its enchanting deciduous forest. The forest adds to the natural beauty of the surroundings, providing a captivating backdrop for the activities and programs conducted here. The centre’s strategic location and well-organised facilities make it an ideal setting for fostering environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices.
The department is built on four foundational values:
Respect | Empathy | Positive Thinking | Self-Worth
All Wellness Team members are selected based on their ability to embody these values in both their practice and daily interactions.
Vision:
To build a community of happy, self-empowered, emotionally resilient, socially aware, and mentally healthy individuals through well-being awareness and mental health support.
Mission:
To integrate mental health education and support systems into schools and colleges, empowering students, staff, and families through preventive care, counselling, and awareness.
Aims & Objectives
The work of the Wellness Department is grounded in the Vidya Bhawan Society Constitution (2013) and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We aim to ensure that no member of our community is left unheard, unsupported, or unseen.
Key objectives include:
- Promoting responsible citizenship through open-minded thinking
- Supporting the social, educational, and economic development of rural and urban communities
- Fostering equality and respect across religion, caste, gender, and background
- Providing psychological, educational, and vocational guidance services
- Promoting mental health and reducing early mortality due to non-communicable diseases (SDG 3.4)
- Strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse (SDG 3.5)
- Advancing gender equality and empowerment of women and girls (SDG 5)
The department is committed to empowering students and staff to become emotionally strong, self-aware, and happy individuals. It actively works to raise awareness about the sensitivity of children’s and adolescents’ mental health, equip teachers and parents with the right tools, and provide immediate crisis support when necessary.
Our Team
The team currently includes two qualified and passionate mental health professionals who cater to over 4,000 students and approximately 450 staff members across all Vidya Bhawan institutions.
We believe that wellness is not a destination but a continuous journey — and we are here to walk that journey with our entire community.
Nishtha Jain
BHMS, B.Sc. (Applied Psychology), M.A. (Psychology), CCAH, Integrated Clinical Hypnotherapy, CSE, QACP
Coordinator, Wellness Team
Email: [email protected]
Contact: 8003332989
Mandvi Ranawat
B.A. (Hons. Psychology), M.A. (Clinical Psychology), P.G. Diploma in Guidance & Counselling
Jr. Fellow, Wellness Team
Email: [email protected]
Contact: 8290046723
The Wellness Department has conducted
- 300+ one-on-one and group counselling sessions
- 100+ workshops and training programs with students, staff, and parents
- Campaigns and IEC materials on topics such as menstruation, child safety, gender, and sexuality, aiming to break stigma and encourage informed, safe choices
- Dissemination of awareness materials across all Vidya Bhawan institutions
The Wellness Team at Vidya Bhawan works at the intersection of mental health, gender sensitivity, safety, and educational empowerment. Our efforts go far beyond crisis response — we are focused on building emotional resilience, raising awareness, and nurturing safe, inclusive spaces for all students, staff, and parents.
Each Vidya Bhawan institution is equipped with its own Wellness Counselling Cell, supported and coordinated by the central Wellness Team, comprising trained psychologists and mental health professionals. These cells work collaboratively with teachers, school leaders, and parents to form a circle of care around every student — a supportive network that listens, understands, and acts.
Core Areas of Work
Individual and Group Counselling
Confidential support sessions for students and staff to process emotions, deal with challenges, and build coping skills.
Mental Health Awareness Sessions
Weekly sessions for Classes 8 to 12 covering topics such as understanding emotions, managing stress, coping with bullying, body image, anxiety, and handling anger constructively.
Menstrual Health & Hygiene Awareness
Age-appropriate sessions on menstrual health, body awareness, and hygiene management.
Child Rights & Child Safety
Awareness programs on child rights and protection laws, including the POCSO Act, promoting safety and empowerment.
Workplace Safety & POSH Awareness
Training sessions for staff on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, fostering safe and respectful workplaces.
Gender & Sexuality Sensitization
Sessions on gender identity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and creating respectful, accepting school environments.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Modules on consent, body boundaries, reproductive and sexual health, and responsible decision-making.
Annual Teacher Training
Capacity-building workshops for educators focused on trauma-informed care, inclusive classrooms, child protection, and strengthening mental health support systems.
Community Awareness Events
Flagship events like “RUN TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH”, organised annually to raise public awareness around mental health issues and break stigma through community participation.
Vidya Bhawan Wellness Program
(Run & Managed by Vidya Bhawan Society)
- +91 80033 32989 | +91 82900 46723
- https://vidyabhawan.in/vidya-bhawan-wellness-program
- Dr. Mohan Sinha Mehta Marg, Fatehpura, Udaipur-313004, Rajasthan, India