DSEJ forms 4-member mental health panel for Jammu schools

Arif Rashid
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04 Mar 2026

Srinagar Mar 04: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has constituted a four-member Mental Health Committee to monitor the implementation of guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other well-being initiatives across schools in the Jammu Division. According to officials, the move aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020), which emphasises holistic development, emotional well-being, and mental health of both students and teachers. The initiative also comes in view of the growing need to address issues such as stress, anxiety, substance abuse, and overall psychological well-being in educational institutions. As per the order, Gurudev Kumar, Joint Director, Jammu, Samba and Kathua (JSK) Range, has been nominated as Chairman of the Committee. The other members include Ajeet Sharma, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Jammu; Mohd. Sultan Khan, CEO Ramban; and Romesh Kumar, Head of Department (HoD), District Institute of Education and Training (DIET). The Committee has been tasked with promoting life skills education, counselling services, emotional well-being, and mental health awareness among students and teachers. It will formulate policies, guidelines, and SOPs related to life skills, stress management, and emotional well-being. Officials said the panel will facilitate the integration of life skills education, emotional resilience, and well-being practices into school timetables and activities. It will also plan, design, and oversee training programmes for teaching staff, headmasters, principals, and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) on counselling and early detection of mental health issues. The Committee will develop indicators and mechanisms for the early identification of students at risk of stress, anxiety, depression, behavioural challenges, or substance abuse. It will identify and train counsellors at the school and cluster levels and plan substance abuse awareness and de-addiction programmes in coordination with allied departments. In addition, the panel will design parent sensitisation programmes highlighting the importance of stress management, emotional resilience, and prevention of drug abuse to safeguard children’s mental well-being. The Committee will also act as an advisory body to the Directorate on all matters related to stress management and emotional well-being in schools across the Jammu Division.