Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam Minister Bindu Krishna on Thursday said a scientific and technology-backed approach to preventing suicides was essential to protect the mental health of children and adolescents.
Inaugurating a month-long state-level campaign on child and adolescent mental health and psychological well-being here, the minister said coordinated interventions to address mental health challenges among children were the responsibility of society as a whole.
The campaign, organised by the Women and Child Development Department and the State Child Protection Society in connection with World Suicide Prevention Day, seeks to promote the message, "Let us start a conversation, talk, listen and support", she said.
The Women and Child Development minister said long-term programmes were necessary to understand children's problems and provide them with continuous support.
The month-long campaign would be developed into a comprehensive five-year flagship project of the government, she said.
Bindu identified excessive academic pressure caused by comparisons with peers as a major source of mental distress among children.
"Parents and teachers should make efforts to help children understand that failures are stepping stones to success," she said.
She stressed the need to create an environment at home where family members are willing to talk and listen, particularly amid reduced communication within families in a changing social environment.
Adults should find time to speak openly with children and listen carefully to their problems, she said, adding that society should develop a culture of listening to, caring for and protecting every child.
The campaign is being organised under the Women and Child Development Department's 'Our Responsibility to Children' project, official sources said.
As part of the campaign, training will be provided to teachers, psychosocial counsellors, caretakers and frontline workers.
During a 'parental participation week', discussions will be held on positive parenting, communication with children, digital parenting, academic stress and behavioural changes during adolescence.
On World Mental Health Day on October 10, the campaign will provide a platform for children's voices and experiences, showcase best practices and chalk out further activities, sources said.
The Organised Resilience for Children programme is currently operational in 1,227 schools across the state, official sources said.
