CBSE mandates mental health training for school staff to ensure students’ well-being

Nagpur: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made mental health training mandatory for all teaching and non-teaching staff in affiliated schools at least two times a year. The initiative is a part of a broader push to strengthen student well-being.The board directed that certified mental health professionals should conduct the training. The sessions will cover psychological first aid, identification of warning signs, response to self-harm situations, and referral mechanisms. As per the board's latest circular, schools must ensure that teaching, non-teaching, and administrative staff are trained to engage with students in a sensitive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner.The circular also mandates regular sensitisation programmes for parents and guardians to help them recognise signs of psychological distress and avoid placing undue academic pressure on children. Mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education, and awareness of institutional support services are to be integrated into student orientation programmes and curricular activities.Schools were asked to maintain anonymous records and prepare an annual report detailing the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and related activities. They were also told to prioritise co-curricular activities such as sports, arts, and personality development, and to periodically review examination patterns so that students develop a broader sense of identity beyond scores and ranks.Further, the board made it compulsory for schools to provide structured career counselling services for students and their parents through qualified counsellors. The aim is to reduce unrealistic academic pressure, promote awareness of diverse academic and professional pathways, and help students make informed decisions based on interest and aptitude.The board urged principals to nominate teachers and staff who are actively engaged with students for the capacity-building programmes on promoting mental health and social emotional learning. It said schools must build an ecosystem that prioritises emotional resilience alongside academic growth and ensures that every student is supported to flourish.