The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), organised the MATE Counsellors’ Conclave and Capacity Building Programme from 9th May to 15th May 2026. The week-long programme was designed to strengthen the capacities of school counsellors for the effective implementation of the MATE (Mind Activation through Education) initiative among students and parents, with a focus on promoting mental health, emotional well-being, and holistic development.
The conclave brought together counsellors from schools across the country, providing a platform for learning, collaboration, and professional development. Dr. Neha Dutt, Counsellor at The Khaitan School, actively participated in the intensive training programme and gained valuable insights into evidence-based approaches for supporting adolescent mental health and well-being.
The sessions were led by distinguished experts and professionals from the fields of mental health, communication, and adolescent development. The eminent resource persons included Dr. Nand Kumar, Prof. Rajesh Sagar, Mr. Brij Bakshi, Dr. Deepika Dahima, and Ms. Priyanka Tandon. Through their insightful presentations and interactive discussions, participants explored key themes such as adolescent mental health, emotional resilience, healthy lifestyle practices, effective communication skills, and the crucial role of parents and schools in nurturing emotionally healthy children.
A significant component of the programme focused on a series of structured workshops designed for students of Classes VI to VIII and their parents. For Grade VI, the workshops addressed topics including Unboxing Health and Wellness, Relationship with Self and Others, Happy Gut and Healthy Brain, and Power of Choice in the Digital World. A dedicated parent workshop, Your Home Shapes Your Brain, highlighted the influence of the home environment on a child’s emotional and cognitive growth.
For Grade VII, participants received an overview of activities and implementation strategies to effectively conduct workshops within schools. The Grade VIII module included sessions on Unboxing Health and Wellness, Relationship with Self and Others, Gut, Brain, Abuse and Lifestyle, and Power of 3A’s – Awareness, Acceptance and Action. Parent workshops for Grade VIII focused on Nurturing Constructive Teens and Concept of Self, Space and Sensitivity, emphasizing positive parenting practices and healthy adolescent development.
The training programme was highly interactive and activity-based, enabling counsellors to gain hands-on experience in facilitating meaningful discussions with students and parents. The sessions underscored the importance of early intervention, emotional awareness, healthy lifestyle choices, and constructive communication in fostering positive mental health outcomes.
As part of the ongoing MATE research initiative, trained counsellors will now conduct these workshops for students and parents of Classes VI to VIII in their respective schools. Participation in the programme will be based on informed consent from students and parents who wish to be a part of this significant mental health and well-being initiative.
The conclave proved to be an enriching and empowering experience, equipping counsellors with practical tools, contemporary knowledge, and research-based strategies to support adolescents effectively. The programme reinforced the shared commitment of CBSE, AIIMS, and schools towards creating emotionally resilient, self-aware, and mentally healthy learners, while advancing the vision of holistic education and student well-being.
