Aligarh: The Syedna Taher Saifuddin (STS) School at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) organised an insightful awareness talk on mental health, featuring Prof. Roomana N. Siddiqui, Coordinator of the Students Counselling Centre, and her team members Dr. Sarah Javed, Dr. Heena Parveen, and Dr. Eisha Rahman.
Prof. Siddiqui emphasised the critical role of teachers in promoting mental well-being among students. She highlighted the importance of maintaining physical hygiene as a foundation for mental health and shared practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Using the “supply and demand” concept, she explained effective ways to balance expectations and resources.
Encouraging students to seek positive social support, Prof. Siddiqui also recommended laughter therapy as a powerful tool to alleviate stress and improve overall mental health.
The session included interactive exercises led by Dr. Eisha Rahman, Dr. Sarah Javed, and Dr. Heena Parveen, designed to train the mind and activate sensory motors for better focus and relaxation. They creatively used the analogy of a childhood school bag to represent the evolving nature of stress, contrasting it with the responsibilities of adulthood.
Mr. Faisal Nafis, Principal of STS School, underscored the link between mental health and discipline, stressing the need for mental balance to navigate academic and personal challenges effectively.
The programme was conducted by Mrs. Ghazala Tanvir and marked a significant step toward raising awareness about mental health among students and educators.
