HRD Minister to launch counselling helpline, ‘Manodarpan’

NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) will be launching an initiative to provide psychosocial support to students and teachers during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond.

Aimed at protecting students’ mental health and well-being, HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ will be launching ‘Manodarpan’ on July 21.

According to the MHRD, Manodarpan is meant to help school and college students live their lives happily, effectively and productively and become resilient over time with the help of life skills even in the face of challenges and roadblocks.

“Manodarpan has been included in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, as a part of strengthening human capital and increasing productivity and efficient reform and initiatives for the Education sector,” says a statement by MHRD.

Government has also created a national toll-free helpline number for a country-wide outreach to students from schools, colleges and universities to provide tele-counselling to students to address their mental health and psychosocial issues.

This helpline shall be managed by a pool of experienced counsellors, psychologists and other mental health professionals and will continue beyond the COVID-19 situation.

The HRD Ministry’s statement said: “About 500 experienced counsellors have been enrolled to implement the national helpline, and 100 counsellors have been mapped to commence the first phase for students.”

Also read:

• COVID-19: Stay alert with Aarogya Setu app says MHRD
• COVID-19: UGC organises support for students dealing with stress

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