VARTAH NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR’S SUMMIT
(JULY 21 & 22, 2023)
G D Goenka University in collaboration with Fortis National Mental Health organized VARTAH National School Counselor’s Summit on July 21 & 22, 2023. The two- day long series of training sessions was attended by counselors all over India held in G D Goenka University.
The first session of day 1 begun with lighting of lamp and Saraswati Vandana, followed, by an inaugural session by Dr. Sameer Parikh on the topic, “Life Skills and Mental Health, rethinking education”. The session highlighted on Mental Health issues in growing up children leading to mental illness. He emphasized on instilling Life skills in adolescents.
After that the session was taken up by Ms. Pallavi on the topic, “Studying in International Environment. She spoke about higher education in various Italian Universities. She apprised about the various courses and Degree trainings on Fashion Designing, Culinary, Vocational training, UG and PG Programs. It was a great understanding, the benefits of which will be reaped in days to come. The 2nd session was by Prof. Jonathan Ramsay ( J C U) Singapore, on the topic, “ Role of beliefs and experience’s in shaping how we think”. It was a virtual session. The session focused on, knowing students character, personality and interests. Also their abilities, skills and goals. He also touched upon Multiple Intelligences and how it plays a vital role in discipline/ streams/career of a student in future. The resource person for the 3rd session Ms. Kamna Chibber enlightened us on the topic, “Role of Counselors as agents of change in Community. She explained how a counselor acts as a mediator, social skills facilitator, teacher, counselor, consultant and advocate. She urged the need to understand, emotional regulation skills, problem solving abilities, managing peer influence in students, empathy and regard and how students should approach for help and support. This was followed by another session taken up by Ms. Mimansa Tanwar on the topic, “Psychological First Aid in Schools which revolved around, humane, supportive and practical assistance for people who are distressed, in ways that respects their dignity, culture and abilities. She elaborated the five core elements of Psychological First Aid, safety, connecters, calm, self – efficacy and hope. The final session for the day was by Dr. Lynda Hutchinson. This was a Virtual session through Zoom. She spoke on the topic, “Supporting co- and self- regulation of learning during adolescence, Role of teachers and families”. She described Self- regulation as how individuals interpret and respond to contextual demands to achieve independent and interdependent goals. The session emphasized on thinking creatively, work creatively with others, make judgments’ and decisions, solve problems, collaborate with others, manage goals and time and be responsible.
The session on the second day was by Ms. Manjula Batra on the topic, “The POCSO Act: Protection against sexual harassment”. The objective of the workshop was to spread awareness about child sexual abuse and POCSO Act. The resource person spoke about the legislation and constitutional acts of child abuse in our country. This was followed by a session by Dr. Anjali Midha Sharan on the topic, “Perceptions, safeguarding and duty of care”. The session highlighted on duty of care and promoting the wellbeing. All organizations that work with or come into contact with children should have safeguarding policies and procedures to make sure that every child- regardless of their background or circumstance – is equally protected from harm. Everyone working and volunteering with children has a responsibility to keep children safe and should understand that they need to do, what to look out for and how to respond appropriately to concerns. This was followed by another session by Ms. Geetika Kapoor on the topic, “Self esteem in the Context of mitigating Risk Behaviors during Adolescence”. This session highlighted the three basic skills of being a discoverer, notice and advisor. It also laid emphasis on understanding the context of risk taking behavior.
The concluding sessions were by Dr. Ugur Guven and by Vice Chancellor on International immersion programs and Multidisciplinary / interdisciplinary programs of the future. Campus tour was with Ms. Pushpa Joshi.
The two day long training sessions for the Counselors was valuable and insightful.
