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We celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10th to raise awareness about mental health issues, combat the stigma surrounding them, and advocate for better support and treatment worldwide. The day encourages open conversations about mental well-being and promotes the idea that mental health is as vital as physical health. In the continuation of World Mental Health Day, we celebrated in the month of November in the schools.
No Health without Mental Health” In the month of November, Our Responsibility to Children (ORC—a positive mental health program), Svarnim Puducherry, and the Sri Aurobindo Society conducted the Creative Individual Poster Making, Valuable Slogan Writing, and Banner Painting competitions on the theme of “My Mental Health” in 9 government schools: PM Shri MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet; ASNGHS, Mudaliarpet; CGHS, Abishegapakkam; Vallalar GGHSS, Lawspet; GHS, Kalmandapam; SVR GHS, Maducarai; Pandit Duraisamy GHS, Pethuchettipet; IAGHSS, Muthiraiyarpalayam; and TVKGHS, Arumparthapuram. More than 500 children enthusiastically participated in events. Running the month of November, team members Dr. P. R. Vinothkumar, Ms. M. Pavithra, Ms. K. Gunalakshmi, Mr. R. Ganesamoorthy, and Mrs. G. Devi from ORC, Svarnim Puducherry, happily recognize children’s efforts through providing gifts.
Venue : SCSVGHS, Veerampattinam and ASNGHS, Mudaliarpet:
The general awareness program on the POCSO Act was conducted on 3rd November 2025 and 21st November 2025 at Sindhanai Chirpi Singaravellar Govt High School, Veerampattinam. The program was conducted by ORC team members and the head of the school. There are 39 boys from 9th and 10th standard and the ASNGHS, Mudaliarpet; there were 123 students, 86 boys and 37 girls from 9th and 10th standard. We taught the children about sex education and the POCSO Act. After the session the students are asked a question. And the team clarified the doubts.
Outcome: An awareness program on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, was conducted to educate students about child safety and their legal rights. The session aimed to create awareness among the students about the various provisions of the Act and to emphasize the importance of reporting and preventing any form of abuse.
Venue : PM Shri MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet and Kasthuriba Gandhi GGHSS, Bahour
From the school of PM Shri MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet, 100 12th-standard students participated in the career and guidance session on 12th November 2025. The program was conducted by ORC team members Ms. K. Gunalakshmi and Ms. M. Pavithra, and sessions were taken. In the first session, Ms. K. Gunalakshmi took a session about the groups in the degrees. They learned after the 12th standard what the colleges in Pondicherry are and what the courses are after the 12th standard. Which group of students took which course in the bachelor’s degrees? Next, explain the difference between a job and a career. The second session was taken. Ms. M. Pavithra explained about the government exams and jobs in India and Pondicherry. Finally the students clarified their doubts. And at Kasthuriba Gandhi GGHSS, Bahour, there were 120 12th-standard students. The program was conducted by ORC team members Dr. P. R. Vinoth Kumar and Ms. M. Pavithra.
Outcome: A career guidance program was organized with the objective of providing students with insights into various career opportunities and helping them make informed decisions about their future. The session aimed to guide students in identifying their interests, strengths, and aptitudes and to familiarize them with the educational pathways required for different professions.
Venue : PM Shri MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet
From the school of PM Shri MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet, 88 11th-standard girl students participated in the Career and Counselling session on 17th November 2025. The program was conducted by ORC team members Ms. K. Gunalakshmi, Ms. M. Pavithra, and Mrs. G. Devi. The first session was conducted by Ms. M. Pavithra; she explained what mental health is and how important mental health and relationships are—healthy and unhealthy relationships. The second session was conducted by Ms. K. Gunalakshmi. She took a session about the importance of education, why we have to study, and how important it is.
Outcome: The session covered topics such as healthy and unhealthy relationships and the importance of education. The students responded with a high level of interest and actively engaged with the discussion.
In November there are three Smart-40 camps. The schools are PKGBHSS, Muthialpet; GHS, Kombakkam; and Pandit Duraisamy GHS, Peththuchettipet. Overall, 114 students, 73 boys and 41 girls, are high school and higher school students. The camp was conducted by Our Responsibility to Children team members. They learned self-awareness, equality, and self-love and learned what beauty, unity and diversity, empathy and time management, leadership quality, adjustment and public speaking skills, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills are. In the final session, they learned the importance of parents and teachers.
For individual counselling, we met 37 students, 23 boys and 14 girls.
S. No
School
Overall count
Male
Female
1
MAGHSS, Embalam
4
0
2
GHS, Suthukeny
6
3
GHS, Santhaiputhukuppam
Vallalar GGHSS, Lawspet
5
TVKGHS, Arumparthapuram
PDGHS, Pethuchettipet
7
IAGHSS, Muthirapalayam
8
ASNGHS, Mudaliarpet
9
GHS, Kalmandapam
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Mental Health Empowering Young Minds through Life Skills and Mental Health Education September 2025 was a month of learning, reflection, and growth under the Our Responsibility to Children (ORC)initiative. Through life skill training, ..
September 2025 was a month of learning, reflection, and growth under the Our Responsibility to Children (ORC)initiative. Through life skill training, ..