Delhi schools mindful of emotional wellbeing, but face counsellor shortage crisis | Delhi News

New Delhi: Even as some Delhi schools roll out structured lessons on emotional wellbeing under the Science of Living curriculum and CM SHRI programmes, the push is tempered by a stark reality — govt schools still lack the trained counsellors needed to support students. Officials estimate that achieving the ideal ratio of one counsellor for every 250–300 students would require nearly 6,000–7,000 professionals in Delhi. Even meeting the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) guideline of one counsellor for every 500 students would require deploying around 3,500–3,600 counsellors. Experts say the promise of universal emotional support will remain uneven until staffing levels align with policy expectations. Despite this, conversations around mental health are gradually entering classrooms. The Science of Living curriculum incorporates yoga, meditation and mindfulness lessons, while CM SHRI Schools focus on holistic development. Authorities are also considering a dedicated mental-health framework to standardise wellbeing practices across schools. Yet, according to educators and psychologists, curriculum changes alone cannot address the depth of need. In many govt schools, counsellors are shared across multiple campuses, restricting sustained engagement with students. Delays in support are common, and in several cases, teachers are expected to fill the gap. “Many sanctioned counselling posts remain vacant, leaving teachers to manage emotional concerns alongside academic responsibilities,” a govt schoolteacher said. The strain becomes more apparent when students experience distress. Adolescents today grapple with exam pressure, bullying and cyberbullying, family conflict, grief, trauma and, in some instances, substance abuse. Without timely intervention, these challenges can intensify, affecting attendance, performance and self-esteem. “Students frequently come in with exam anxiety, peer issues, grief or family stress. Some turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms,” said psychologist Kadambari Katoch. “Early counselling can prevent these concerns from escalating,” Katoch added.Mental-health struggles do not always manifest clearly. Distress may surface as irritability, withdrawal, frequent physical complaints or declining academic interest. Teachers are often the first to notice such behavioural changes, underscoring the need for systematic referral mechanisms. At a govt school in Kalkaji, educators say open dialogue is reducing stigma. “When we discuss mental-health terms in class, students feel more comfortable expressing stress or anxiety,” a teacher said, adding that early exposure fosters emotional literacy. Private schools, meanwhile, are more likely to meet or exceed CBSE norms by employing full-time counsellors who address academic stress, peer conflicts, career planning and emotional concerns. A CBSE official said schools have been advised to appoint two professionals — one for socio-emotional wellbeing and another for career guidance — replacing the earlier model where a single counsellor handled both the roles. The urgency around student wellbeing intensified after the suicide of a 16-year-old Class X student last Nov, prompting renewed calls for stronger safeguards. Since then, Delhi govt has reiterated its commitment to building supportive school environments and strengthening counselling services. Education officials maintain that expanding counsellor recruitment and enhancing teacher sensitisation remain priorities. Experts emphasise that trained counsellors serve as vital links between students, families and educators, enabling early identification of problems and preventing long-term fallout. For now, awareness of student mental health is rising faster than the infrastructure required to sustain it, leaving Delhi’s govt schools striving to bridge the gap between policy intent and on-ground support.