By Ganesh Kohli
In a country where education is often viewed as the primary pathway to success, students face immense academic pressure, career expectations, and societal demands. The quest for a secure future is marked by high-stakes exams, fierce competition, and the fear of failure. It’s not uncommon for students to feel overwhelmed by the weight of these expectations, leading to anxiety, depression, and, in some tragic cases, thoughts of suicide. In light of this, the need for both effective career counselling and mental health counselling has never been more urgent.
In the ever-evolving landscape of education and career development, staying attuned to the changes is essential to effectively guide students toward successful futures. It is also important to understand that this is not a problem limited to academic stress, but a widespread social issue. This points to an immediate need for a more compassionate, guided, and supported student development approach integrating mental health support and academic achievement.
Providing comprehensive college and career counselling should become a standard practice, offering students the support they need to build both academic knowledge and self-awareness. This approach helps normalize the stress of not being everything, doing everything, or knowing everything as a part of the high school and college experience.
Career counselling plays a critical role in helping students redefine success beyond academic grades. By offering guidance in critical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, and creativity, counselors help students navigate both academic and real-world challenges. This personalized support enables students to understand their strengths and interests, ensuring that they are equipped with essential skills to thrive in today’s complex world.
Preliminary data from the soon-to-be-launched Annual Student Quest Report by IC3 reveals that counselors play a crucial role in helping students make informed career decisions. Some help them with career choices based on their personal values, while some guide them based on their interests and aptitudes. Additionally, students identified key areas where they need the most support from counselors, including analyzing personal strengths and weaknesses, shortlisting universities and courses, and profile building. With this level of support, the larger issues of anxiety, depression, and, in some tragic cases, thoughts of suicide, can be reduced.
The IC3 Institute has introduced a Mindfulness Curriculum as part of its holistic career counselling approach. This initiative trains counselors, educators, and school leaders to integrate mindfulness practices into their sessions. By fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness, this curriculum aids in managing stress and navigating mental health challenges. Through this comprehensive approach, IC3 empowers school communities with practical tools to enhance both emotional and professional development, creating a more supportive and mindful learning environment.
Addressing the intertwined issues of academic pressure and mental health requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders in the educational system. By prioritizing mental health resources and career guidance, we can create an environment where students are prepared for their futures and supported in their emotional journeys.
This shift is crucial to reversing troubling trends in adolescent mental health and ensuring that young people succeed in all aspects of their lives. Career counselling, integrated with mental health support, is essential for helping students thrive personally and professionally.
(The Author is the Founder of the IC3 Movement)
[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.]
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