Child Labour in India – Real Facts

Conflicts, war, crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, have plunged more families into poverty – and forced millions more children into child labour. Economic growth has not been sufficient, nor inclusive enough, to relieve the pressure that too many families and communities feel and that makes them resort to child labour. Today, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour. That is almost one in ten children worldwide.

Child Labour in India – Real Facts:
• Over 10 million children (aged 5–14 years) are engaged in child labour in India, according to Census 2011. Newer estimates suggest millions more remain uncounted in informal sectors.
• 60% of child labourers are involved in agriculture, followed by construction, domestic work, and manufacturing.
• Poverty, lack of education, and social inequality are the primary drivers of child labour in India.
• Many children work in hazardous conditions—in industries like fireworks (Sivakasi), carpet weaving, mining, and garment factories.
• The COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of child labour due to school closures, job losses, and increased household poverty.
• Child labour is often hidden, especially among girls, who may be involved in domestic and caregiving tasks from a young age.
• India has laws like the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, but enforcement remains weak in many regions.
• States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra report the highest number of child labour cases.
• The Right to Education (RTE) Act mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14—but dropout rates remain high.
• NGOs and grassroots movements like HEEALS are working on education, awareness, and community engagement to reduce child labour.

Join us. Speak up. Act now.
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#StopChildLabour #HEEALS #RightToEducation #HopeForChildren #BeTheChange

Why Universities in India Should Share All Internship Offers?

Why Universities in India Should Share All Internship Offers?

- BY  Gaurav 

In an increasingly globalized world, internships offer invaluable experiences for students to broaden their horizons, build cross-cultural skills, and gain real-world exposure. While many of these opportunities are offered by NGOs that request a nominal fee. They still represent life-changing possibilities for students.
It is essential for universities to recognize that not all valuable opportunities come at zero cost. Some NGOs, especially those working in under-resourced regions, may lack the funding to fully sponsor interns but still provide impactful, meaningful work experiences. Rather than filtering out such offers, universities should share them transparently with students, allowing them to make informed choices.
By publishing all internship opportunities—including those that require modest fees for basic needs—universities empower students with knowledge. Students deserve the chance to explore, assess, and decide what aligns with their goals, values, and financial situations.
Ultimately, visibility is the first step toward opportunity. Let’s trust in our students’ ability to choose wisely, and let’s give them every chance to discover the world.

Volunteering and Internship Queries Please Contact: Gaurav@heeals.org 

Mobile: +91-7982316660

Instagram: @heealsindia

Web: www.heeals.org 

LEGAL LITERACY

What is legal literacy? By Advocate Shikha Garg. 

Legal literacy refers to the understanding of basic legal concepts and the ability to navigate 

legal systems effectively. It involves being aware of one’s rights, obligations, and 

responsibilities under the law, as well as understanding how to access and use legal resources. 

Legal literacy is important for individuals in everyday life because it empowers them to make 

informed decisions, seek justice, and protect themselves from legal pitfalls. 

Key areas of legal literacy may include:

1. Basic Rights and Freedoms: Knowledge of human rights, civil rights, and other 

protections under national and international law.

2. Legal Terminology: Familiarity with key terms used in contracts, legal documents, and court proceedings.

3. Understanding Legal Processes: Awareness of how legal procedures work, such as the steps in filing a case, responding to a legal dispute, or appealing a decision.

4. Consumer Protection Laws: Awareness of laws related to consumer rights, such as product safety, service guarantees, and dispute resolution.

5. Contracts and Agreements: Understanding the essentials of contracts, including what makes them legally binding and how to read and interpret agreements.

6. Access to Justice: Knowing where to seek help when involved in legal matters, including how to approach courts, legal aid, or mediators.

What role does organisation play in legal literacy?

Organizations play a vital role in raising awareness about legal literacy by educating the on their legal rights, responsibilities, and how to navigate legal systems. Their roles can be outlined in several key ways:

1. Education and Training: Many organizations, including NGOs, government bodies, and community groups, offer workshops, seminars, and training programs aimed at improving legal literacy. These programs often cover a variety of topics such as basic rights, how to access legal services, and how to understand legal documents.

2. Outreach and Advocacy: Organizations help amplify the message of legal awareness through outreach initiatives. These can include public campaigns, media coverage, and community events. Such efforts are aimed at reaching a broad audience, particularly marginalized groups who may not otherwise have easy access to legal information.

3. Resource Distribution: Organizations provide resources such as pamphlets, websites helplines, and mobile apps that make legal information more accessible. They may also provide guides for specific legal issues, such as family law, labor rights, and consumer rights, ensuring that individuals have easy access to the information they need.

4. Legal Aid and Support: Some organizations directly offer legal aid to people in need. They might offer pro bono legal services or support in filing complaints, understanding contracts, or challenging unlawful practices. These services help people understand the legal options available to them.

5. Collaboration with Legal Institutions: Many organizations partner with legal professionals, law schools, or government agencies to promote legal literacy. These partnerships can result in more structured programs, advocacy for law reforms, and the development of resources that improve legal access for all citizens.

6. Community Empowerment: By focusing on local communities, organizations can tailor legal awareness campaigns to address specific regional or cultural needs. This ensures that the information provided is relevant and applicable to the local population, empowering them to make informed decisions and take action when necessary.

7. Promoting Legal Reforms: In addition to raising awareness, organizations also work toward policy and legal reforms that make legal systems more accessible and transparent, and ensure that vulnerable populations are not excluded or disadvantaged by legal complexities.

What role does citizen should play to spread legal awareness ?

Common people play a vital role in promoting and achieving legal literacy in several ways:

1. Self-Education: Individuals can actively seek information about their rights, local laws, and the legal processes that may affect them. By using available resources such as books, online platforms, and community programs, people can educate themselves about important legal concepts like property rights, labor laws, family laws, consumer rights, and more.

2. Spreading Awareness: Once educated, individuals can share their knowledge with others. They can discuss legal topics in their communities, educate friends and family about their rights, and help others recognize when they might need legal assistance. This creates a ripple effect, reaching more people with valuable information.

3. Participation in Legal Outreach Programs: Many NGOs, community centers, and even government initiatives offer free or low-cost legal literacy programs. Common people can participate in these programs, and by doing so, they become more aware of legal processes and can encourage others to attend as well.

4. Engagement in Community Legal Discussions: Communities can hold public meetings or workshops with legal experts to discuss laws that impact daily life, such as consumer rights, domestic violence laws, or labor rights. Involvement in these discussions makes legal knowledge more accessible and ensures that people know where to go for help when needed.

5. Advocacy for Legal Education in Schools: Citizens can advocate for the inclusion of legal literacy in school curriculums, ensuring that future generations grow up with a solid understanding of their rights and legal processes. This kind of education helps create an informed and empowered society.

6. Using Legal Aid Services: If a person feels disadvantaged in navigating the legal system, they can take advantage of legal aid services. By learning how to access free or affordable legal help, they not only address their personal needs but also become more aware of how others can do the same.

7. Influence on Policy: When citizens become knowledgeable about legal matters, they can advocate for policies that increase access to legal information for all members of society. This can include pushing for laws or initiatives that make legal resources more available, affordable, and accessible to marginalized or underrepresented groups.

8. Ensuring Fairness in Legal Processes: A legally literate public is less likely to be taken advantage of by legal processes. When people know their rights and how the legal system works, they can hold authorities accountable and ensure justice is delivered fairly in cases of discrimination, unfair treatment, or exploitation

Happy Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Happy Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Celebrating Equality, Social Justice, and Devotion. May the teaching Guru Ravidas Bless You With Wisdom.

#GuruRavidas, a key figure in the #Bhaktimovement of the 15th and 16th centuries, is celebrated for his profound teachings on equality, social justice, and devotion. His birth anniversary, known as Guru Ravidas Jayanti, is observed with great reverence, especially in northern India, including regions such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Chandigarh. On this day, people gather to honor his contributions to society, reflect on his spiritual wisdom, and remember his efforts toward societal reform and the dismantling of the caste system.

Guru Ravidas was born in #Varanasi, India, and became an influential poet, saint, and social reformer. He strongly advocated for a society free from #castebased #discrimination and worked tirelessly to create a more inclusive world based on equality and unity. A revered poet, Guru Ravidas's verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the #holyscripture of #Sikhism. His powerful words continue to inspire people today, advocating for love, compassion, and a deep, personal relationship with #God, irrespective of one's social or caste status.In addition to his role in the Bhakti movement, Guru Ravidas played a significant part in shaping the future of religious thought in India. Mira Bai, a prominent Hindu mystic and devotee, considered Guru Ravidas to be her spiritual guide. His teachings resonated deeply with her and continue to influence spiritual practices in the region.Guru Ravidas is also considered the founder of the #Ravidassia religion, which emerged in the 20th century, based on his spiritual messages and ideas,his messages of love, equality, and social reform, and it remains a significant occasion to promote harmony, unity, and the celebration of diversity in society. #heeals #ngo #India #volunteering #internship #Instagram #gurugranthsahib

Source of knowledge is experience

 "The only source of knowledge is experience." — Albert Einstein. If you are looking to gain real-world experience, an internship at HEEALS is the perfect opportunity. Here, you will work at the grassroots level, gaining firsthand insight into the lives of people and communities. You will also have the chance to learn about the operations of an NGO, all while immersing yourself in the rich culture and traditions of India. So, why wait? Come, be a part of the HEEALS movement and experience growth like never before.

Cares About Teaching !

Cares about Teaching ! : By Giada 

In my life I had as many teachers as many of us. Some of them had fascinated us, some of them not. I want to talk about my experience as a student. When I was in middle school there was a very special teacher, but unfortunately I realized it only after years. 

She taught math and sciences, two disciplines that I never liked because I didn't understand it. My valuations on it were low or sufficient, but she encouraged me every time to not lose the motivation and to do better. She was good, also because she always engaged to explain the argument in a different way, also finding alternative ways to explain. She was a very good teacher but also punctual about activities with all students, so sometimes I lost my motivation, but now I realize that I also needed this. My success was not valuation but continuing to engage me in math to understand at least a few. I think it is also only to understand that for joint success we have to fail sometimes.

How to teach it is a simple question that has many answers, in fact teaching it is a complex and difficult task that demands extraordinary abilities. Teaching is not reading the book, if the teacher does it wouldn’t be needed in schools. 

First we have to ask ourselves, “What is teaching?” From the dictionary it is explain and expose in a thought, organized way a discipline to someone because the apprentice. Although teaching is not a mere transmission of knowledge. In fact when a teacher talks, transmits values like empathy, respect for others and rules and coworking. It can be for this reason that the teacher had in his/her life remained etched in the mind. Teachers influence children and persons because we learn from him/her, we learn the knowledge but also from the behaviors, from the attitudes and way of doing.

We have to ask ourselves: “Who are my students?” We have to know them. We have to know which are their needs, why don't they understand this argument? Also we understand which level they have, which interests they have. Only in this way, we can personalize the teaching. A classical way for teaching is to explain the argument, but this sometimes can be boring for the listeners. So personalization means changing the way to do lessons. For example here there are 3 activities to change the way of teaching: 1. A student or the teacher can read the lesson and another person can explain to the other what they read; 2. prepare an argument and ask what they think about it and why; 3. Every student can prepare a different argument and then discuss it. In other different activities help promote exchange of ideas between students, help to get to know students and then to create groups. 

Creating a climate of positive learning needs clear rules that everybody respects. 1. Rules, as we said before, keep respect for each other and discipline. Rules need to be clear and simple. But it is important in this area students feel free to wrong to learn better and everyone can wronging. and where students feel appreciated. That encourages students to be more present in class. 2. Giving an answer immediately to their questions shows the teacher pays attention to students, to their doubts or questions. But maybe this can distract the teacher, so it can reserve a space for questions at the end. 3. Another tip to create this climate is to recognise the results, also small successes have the right to be celebrated, in this way the students will be encouraged to do better and motivates them to continue to engage. 

In the meanwhile we cannot claim puppets for children, they are still children and give them the opportunity to wrong. Also, adult people are wrong. Why shouldn’t wrong children? So if they don’t respect rules, like silence, doing homework, punctuality, they will face the consequences which may be known on the register, negative vote. You don’t need to be strict because it works in the moment but they don’t learn to listen truly and why it is important to listen. With strictness human beings will learn to be puppets when there’s need and not thinking with his mind.

By putting these cares and strategies into practice, students will be more likely to feel part of a group and therefore feel more likely to participate in the lesson. This is not a recipe for being the perfect teacher, but suggestions to adopt and make your own.

Finally, if the teacher feels lost or feels that he has no grip, it is understandable because teaching is not easy, nor working with children and guys. What the teacher can do is talking with his/her colleagues and if he/she wants to think about a solution together.

Hand Hygiene: Privilege or Necessity? Hand Hygiene Day 2024

Hand Hygiene: Privilege or Necessity? Hand Hygiene Day 2024

-Aarohi Ghosh.

If you washed your hands today, you are luckier than the 2 billion people in the world who lack access to safe water. Most of us do not think twice before washing our hands, and none of us should have to. Basic hygiene should not be a luxury, but a basic aspect of our lives to maintain well-being.

“Power of Hand Hygiene” is the theme for Hand Hygiene Day this year, emphasizing how a small act can save lives and keep fatal diseases at bay. According to the World Bank, simply promoting better hygiene practices can be the most cost-effective method to reduce diseases. Handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections. It is even estimated that washing hands routinely potentially prevents up to 1 million deaths every year.

But how do germs spread so quickly? They are circulated when we touch our eyes, noses, or mouths or prepare and eat food with unwashed hands. Not covering the nose or mouth while sneezing can spread respiratory droplets and be highly detrimental.

Contaminated hands easily pass on germs that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory infections which cause serious harm, especially to young children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a key role in reminding us the importance of this habit, and that we must continue to integrate it into our lives regardless. Before having meals, after using the restroom, while preparing food, and after caring for animals or patients are key times to practice handwashing. The lack of hand hygiene contributes to numerous healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) as well. These are infections contracted at healthcare facilities when one is being treated for other conditions and harm patients, visitors, and workers, thereby increasing costs. This increases not just monetary costs, but psychological and emotional costs also since the risk of HAIs causes increased stress and anxiety among patients. As per WHO, appropriate control measures can reduce HAIs by 70%.

As mentioned earlier, the lack of hand hygiene is a problem that affects a person both physically and mentally. It breaches an individual’s inalienable right to live a dignified life. The increased risk of acquiring diseases at a young age impacts a child’s overall development, learning, and even economic opportunities later on. The importance of health, dignity, and prosperity in one’s life cannot be ignored.

Various myths surrounding the idea of hand hygiene can also affect how effectively we perform this action. Wearing gloves does not eliminate the need to wash our hands. Bacteria multiply rapidly in moist environments under gloves and minuscule tears can expose the skin to various surfaces. Washing hands with alcohol-based sanitizers with up to 60% alcohol content can be an alternative to handwashing but still does not eliminate all germs. Also, hot water does not reduce pathogens, since the temperature of water does not affect this process.

Moreover, this process needs to be done thoroughly for 20 seconds to be beneficial. Firstly, wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Next, rub the soap and spread it across your palms, the backs of your hands, between the fingers, and under the nails. Lastly, rinse and dry. Sing or hum your favourite song so that you don’t get bored! Increasing awareness is the first step to change. Public health campaigns, school programs, workshops, or even circulating a simple infographic poster on social media can help spread the message.

As per a report by WHO, improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene can save approximately 1.4 million lives per year. Rainwater harvesting systems can help collect and store rainwater in areas with water shortages. In fact, rooftop rainwater harvesting is common in Shillong, Meghalaya, and contributes to around 15-25% of the total water utilized by households here. Cheap solutions like chlorine tablets and plastic bottles that can be exposed to sunlight without chemicals leaching into the water should be promoted. Additionally, stricter guidelines in healthcare spaces and implementing efficient waste management systems are vital community-wide efforts to improve overall hygiene. After all, it takes about 66 days on average to develop a habit. Why not start today?

Email : communications@heeals.org

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World Water Day- Water For Peace

Water for peace

Water can create peace or spark conflict.

When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.

More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water.

As climate change impacts increase, and populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource.

Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.
Creating a positive ripple effect

The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’.

When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges.

We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life.

This World Water Day, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
Did you know?

• 2.2 billion still live without safely managed drinking water, including 115 million people who drink surface water. (WHO/UNICEF, 2023)

• Roughly half of the world’s population is experiencing severe water scarcity for at least part of the year (IPCC, 2022). 

• Water-related disasters have dominated the list of disasters over the -past 50 years and account for 70 per cent of all deaths related to natural disasters (World Bank, 2022). 

• Transboundary waters account for 60 per cent of the world’s freshwater flows, and 153 countries have territory within at least 1 of the 310 transboundary river and lake basins and inventoried 468 transboundary aquifer systems (UN-Water, 2023).

• Only 24 countries report that all their transboundary basins are covered by cooperation arrangements. (UN-Water, 2021). 

Email : communications@heeals.org

Whatss app no : +91-7982316660

Mental Health in India

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Various types of mental illnesses exist, displaying a range of intensities and severity. They can be categorized into common mental disorders and more severe mental conditions. Mental health disorders encompass a spectrum, spanning from psychosis—indicative of chemical imbalances in the body—to neurosis—stemming from inadequate attitudinal learning during the developmental or formative years. 

Common Mental Health Illnesses include:

1. Depression1
2. Anxiety/Phobias
3. EatingDisorders
4. Stress

Severe Mental Health Illnesses Include:

1. Schizophrenia
2. Bipolardisorder (Manicdepression)
3. Clinicaldepression
4. Suicidaltendency
5. Personalitydisorder

Statistics indicate that 20% of the population experiences symptoms associated with mental health disorders. Half of these conditions manifest by the age of 14, with 75% emerging by the age of 24. Mental health problems can be influenced by a variety of factors. The interplay between the mind, body, and environment contributes to the development of psychological disorders. Some of these factors include persistent and prolonged stress, biological elements, substance abuse and overdose, cognitive patterns like persistent negative thoughts and low energy, as well as social issues such as financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, and social isolation.

The discourse around mental health in India is still relatively recent, and persistent myths and taboos surround the subject. As per the National Health program administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 6% of Kerala's population grapples with mental disorders, while one in every five individuals experiences emotional and behavioral issues. The country is home to a staggering 60 to 70 million people facing both common and severe mental disorders. Disturbingly, India holds the unfortunate title of being the world's suicide capital, with an alarming 2.6 lakh cases reported annually. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the average suicide rate in India stands at 10.9 per lakh people.

According to the data problems related to mental health are stigma. There are a lot of factors . The main ones are :

1 Lack of  help. Due to fact that people can not afford specialists they are not able to get treatment.The treatment given by government or free treatments are not enough. We have limited workers and

Places where to go .

2 Mentality. Most of the people do not take mental problems seriously and as a result their mental

Health will get worse.

3 Individuals suffering from mental illnesses face a significant hurdle as insurance companies typically do not offer medical coverage for hospital admissions related to mental health conditions. For some, access to quality hospitals is unattainable due to this limitation. Effective treatment can be expensive, and the absence of insurance coverage further compounds the challenge, making it even more difficult for individuals to afford the necessary care.

This factors can lead to bigger problems . For example, not treated depression among females can lead to of low birth weight and preterm birth.

That is why our team is putting every effort to solve this problem . You can donate or join us to make this world better.

Join  HEEALS .We believe that by starting small and working with one community at a time, we can begin to make changes that will spread gradually throughout India, all the while working hard to create and maintain a self-sustaining society. We aim to facilitate the fulfilment of the millennium development goals, set out by the United Nations, by ensuring that every household in India has unimpeded access to proper WASH facilities.

Email : communications@heeals.org

whats app: +91-7981316660

written by volunteer-coordinator Kenenbaeva Janyl.

The International Day of the Girl Child

 Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being

This year, at a time when we are seeing a range of movements and actions to curtail girls’ and women’s rights and roll back progress on gender equality, we see particularly harsh impacts on girls. From maternal health care and parenting support for adolescent mothers, to digital and life skills training; from comprehensive sexuality education to survivor support services and violence prevention programmes; there is an urgent need for increased attention and resourcing for the key areas that enable girls to realize their rights and achieve their full potential. 

Responding to girls’ calls for change, the global community must move beyond reaffirming commitments and invest boldly in the action needed to make that change. When we pay attention, we see that, already, many girls are championing solutions and change in their communities. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. An investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability. Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, embody a roadmap for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind. Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to justice and inclusion, economies that work for all, and sustaining our shared environment now and for future generations.

Did you know?

·         Nearly 1 in 5 girls are still not completing lower-secondary and nearly 4 in 10 girls are not completing upper-secondary school today.

·         Around 90 per cent of adolescent girls and young women do not use the internet in low-income countries, while their male peers are twice as likely to be online.

·         Globally, girls aged 5-14 spend 160 million more hours every day on unpaid care and domestic work than boys of the same age.

·         Adolescent girls continue to account for 3 in 4 new HIV infections among adolescents.

·         Nearly 1 in 4 married/partnered adolescent girls aged 15-19 have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 100 million girls were at risk of child marriage in the next decade. And now over the next ten years, up to 10 million more girls worldwide will be at risk of marrying as children because of the COVID-19 pandemic

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World Mental Health Day ! Talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters

Talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters

As the theme of World Mental Health Day highlights, ‘mental health is a universal human right’. Awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

World Mental Health Day 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.

Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.

Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people.  

Having a mental health condition should never be a reason to deprive a person of their human rights or to exclude them from decisions about their own health. Yet all over the world, people with mental health conditions continue to experience a wide range of human rights violations. Many are excluded from community life and discriminated against, while many more cannot access the mental health care they need or can only access care that violates their human rights. 

Source : WHO 

HEEALS is continues to work to ensure mental health is valued, promoted, and protected, and that urgent action is taken so that everyone can exercise their human rights and access the quality mental health care they need. Join the World Mental Health Day 2023 campaign to learn more about your basic right to mental health as well as how to protect the rights of others.

Email : communications@heeals.org

Whatss app : +91-7982316660

 

 NO ONE TALKS ABOUT TEACHERS MENTAL HEALTH !

By Sachin Solanki 

 

We are living in times when talking about mental health and its intersection with and influence on other forms of health is being normalized more than ever before. More and more people are coming out with their stories and experiences, making discussions around mental health more stigma-free. From celebrities to house-helps, mental health leaves no one. Yet, it is only unfortunate that we don’t talk enough about the mental health of people whom society depends so much on- about people who build lives through sharing and creating knowledge and these people are none other than our teachers.

 

What’s troubling them?

 

Teaching can be both a rewarding and a gruelling profession. The sense of satisfaction and fulfilment that comes through the dissemination of knowledge and ideas can be an enriching and illuminating feeling.

 

But teaching can also be a field filled with challenges and hurdles. Rigorous and exhausting schedules, requirement of tailored and student-specific approaches and pressure from various actors like parents, school authorities and sometimes even the government can act as major obstacles in making teaching a safe and fulfilling profession.

 

This profession demands a continuous shift in how we organize and share ideas. And no ideas can be shared to the last mile if it’s not well-cooked in the first few steps. It is precisely for this reason we believe that the mental health of teachers and people involved in the education system is a sine qua non for a healthy learning atmosphere.

 

Another obstacle is the lack of adequate infrastructure and tools to share knowledge. This can become a frustrating and demoralizing exercise, more so at the ground level where things get more complicated by the intersection of factors like caste, class and affordability. And together such factors can discourage and undermine the teachers’ confidence and ability to create better learning spaces. Last but not least, teachers in public and state-aided schools carryadded responsibilities and duties of contributing to other assignments other than teaching. Being available even on offdays to contribute to non-teaching duties is explainable and justifiable in the short run but can be deleterious in the long game. While private schools with better funds at their disposal have the wherewithal to provide teacher-friendly spaces and flexible working environments, it’s the non-private institutions that suffer the most.

 

What we must do?

 

It is no exaggeration that such setbacks can truly disincentivize young people from choosing teaching as a profession and owing to this, more often than not, teaching in our part of the world becomes a last refuge for people against unemployment and not a first choice. This also tampers their performance, thereby creating vicious cycles of poor results.

 

Efforts must be made to organize counselling sessions for teachers where they can express not just their grievances but also their doubts and fears. For this, we need a network of dedicated safe spaces consisting oflocal NGOs and mental health experts. We also need to configure how we view efficiency and hard work. Long working hours do not necessarily mean better outcomes. It can very well turn into disasters and senseless labour.

 

Efforts are required to make working hours and schedules more teacher-friendly with adequate time for leisure and relaxation. At HEEALS, we believe that proper mental health cannot be looked at in a separate silo. It must be seen as one ingredient of a larger system.

 

Mental health’s intersection with physical, social personal and sexual health should also be explored more to provide better results. Creating helplines and safe avenues for discussions and individual expressions can be good baby steps but we will eventually need more.

 

Ministry of Education provides psychosocial support through its MANODARPAN initiative to deliberate on mental health issues of both the teachers and students. Similar initiatives need to be multiplied with support of local institutions and communities which can participate in unleashing a social transformation.

 

Last but not least, what we need in the end is a shift in attitude where teaching as a profession must be treated with respect and thoughtfulness because teachers are also human beings and their emotional well-being matters because without teachers there are no students.

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Account Number: 002101200566 Bank: ICICI Address: ICICI, Gurgaon Branch Sco-18 & 19 Sector -14, Huda Shopping Center. Gurgaon -122001 RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE: ICIC0000021

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Negative Impact of Taboos on Mental Health

Negative Impact of Taboos on Mental Health

By Saniya Islam 

Walking into your house at the ripe age of eight throwing the shiny new ball your friend had just bought you, enamored with how it bounced and tossed up in the air until - Crack! The mirror reflects back at you in its shattered pieces, your mother close behind yelling, “You better wish away the 7 years of bad luck you’ve doomed to yourself,” unleashing anxiety across your body for the next three weeks. 

This is the effect of baseless taboos and superstitions; the issue, however, extends beyond shattered mirrors and knocking on wood. Superstitions are most harmful in the space of periods, an area in which many women and impressionable girls are uneducated. But why? 

Despite their seemingly harmless intention, period taboos are often the only true advice or education that women in underdeveloped countries - like India - receive to guide them through menstrual cycles. This unproven folklore, however, creates fear mongering around periods. 

There are a myriad of superstitions passed around the world that create unnecessary rules for women. In India, for example, there is a superstition that whilst on your period one cannot enter a kitchen or cook for anyone else according to Hello Clue. The consequence of this rumor is that women are taught that they are dirty and disgusting for their period - furthering menstrual health into an unmentionable and disgraceful topic. 

Consequently, the confidence of women is tattered by period myths as is that of young girls. Period superstitions establish a stigma around periods and those who have them. When on one’s period, girls feel ashamed to be in their own bodies because societal taboos tell them to ‘wash your hair’ or ‘not pray’, as though it is an infectious disease rather than a normal bodily function. 

Once disgusted by periods, girls are thereby told to be disgusted with themselves and the body that contributes to such a process. Through low self-esteem comes low-confidence, growing into many mental health issues in the process. 

Women deserve to be reminded that their period is a normal process and one that should not be frowned upon or that they should be judged for. They deserve more than unsupported rumors and hostility toward their bodily functions. Girls deserve not to fear that if they are on their period without a matchbox in their pocket, evil will come to them. They deserve to be educated, to be heard, and to be met with information about their menstrual cycle that will help them manage it and continue with their lives rather than living in isolation and fear constantly. 

By educating women and abolishing these superstitions from their mind, they can live with knowledge and comfort whilst on their period. These are the standards that we should hold menstrual education toward. This is the standard that HEEALS NGO holds itself to when educating young girls on their periods in order to protect them from period anxiety and allow them to reestablish their confidence. By getting rid of period myths, we allow women to accept themselves and their womanhood. To contribute to the cause of revoking rumors and replacing them with facts, donate to HEEALS today. 

 

Sources: 

https://helloclue.com/articles/culture/36-superstitions-about-periods-from-around-world

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Please Donate / Support Us In Anyway You Can. Spread Share Support #HEEALS Donation Details Are Below:

DONATORS LOCATED IN INDIA 

Account Number: 002101200566 Bank: ICICI Address: ICICI, Gurgaon Branch Sco-18 & 19 Sector -14, Huda Shopping Center. Gurgaon -122001 RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE: ICIC0000021

INTERNATIONAL DONATORS Please email: communications@heeals.org Forward this message to your contacts to help this campaign reach its goal! 

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PEER PRESSURE !

Peer Pressure plays a very important role among children mental health .

We organize Mental Health Workshop about Peer Pressure in Gurgaon, Schools. To support our project . Please contact us at : communications@heeals.org Whatss app : +91-7982316660 Thank you!

Be A Part Of Our International Internship /Volunteering/Volunteer travel program At HEEALS Please Contact Us At : communications@heeals.org Please Come Join Us!

Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/Heeals/ 

Twitter Page: http://www.twitter.com/heeals 

Instagram: @heealsindia

We Request To All The People To Help and Support Our Work .

Please Donate / Support Us In Anyway You Can. Spread Share Support #HEEALS Donation Details Are Below:

DONATORS LOCATED IN INDIA 

Account Number: 002101200566 Bank: ICICI Address: ICICI, Gurgaon Branch Sco-18 & 19 Sector -14, Huda Shopping Center. Gurgaon -122001 RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE: ICIC0000021

INTERNATIONAL DONATORS Please email: communications@heeals.org Forward this message to your contacts to help this campaign reach its goal! 

Thank You!