Teaching teachers to promote health

Teachers from six schools from H & K ward, Mumbai were asked about their understanding on Health. After getting various replies Ms. Varsha Sonawane, Programme Coordinator of ‘Health Action Program for Progress of Youth’ (HAPPY) project given World Health Organisation definition on good health.

She explained the importance of balance diet through an interactive rocket game session.

This was not an ordinary training but second special teachers training under HAPPY project organized by Caritas India at Mahatma Gandhi High School, Bandra, Mumbai on February 15, 2017. The training was attended by the teachers from six schools, Mr. Tukaram Konale and Ms. Ketaki from Deepam Educational Society for Health (DESH), a non-profit voluntary organisation.

Project HAPPY focuses on health and its intervention mainly centered around substance misuse, health and hygiene, life skills and value, SRH, communicable and non-communicable diseases injuries and violence and mental health. Ms. Varsha clarifies the HAPPY project and the role of school teachers and peer educators in HAPPY projects.

The training program sensitized teachers on the project aim and its training modules, role of Caritas India in implementing the programme and making them understand the health problems of the adolescence and to strategize for its resolve.

The project will be implemented in 720 municipal and private schools in Mumbai through 6 NGO partners under the leadership of DESH. Caritas India is one of the partner under this project and will be handling 120 schools to train teachers on Health issues.

The session on mental health being one of the primary focus area, its importance was explained through the role model where teachers were given particular emotions and then asked to act in a given situation. Inputs were given on identification of stress, its source, its management and control.

Mr. Rajesh Gajare explained the teachers about substance abuse and its various source of addiction like tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

The project will be implemented for three years to promote health and combat substance use/abuse among youth in schools.