A recent study by Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) noted that "82% of educators agree that a well-crafted, fully integrated SEL approach makes an impact post-pandemic." Furthermore, the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) recorded a new high of over 13,000 suicides by Indian students in 2021. A student takes their own life every 42 minutes; hence, each day, more than 34 Indian students die by suicide. In the past five years, the rates of student suicide have distinctly risen by 27 percent. Now more than ever, with the uncertainty of the pandemic, the Holistic Wellbeing Foundation (HWF) recognizes that it is imperative to address the social and emotional health of students. Hence, it is crucial that schools encourage students to know, understand, and celebrate their intrinsic selves and develop them into well-rounded individuals.
Our 3-day workshop helps future educators learn, understand, and practice SEL skills. The curriculum development for the student-teachers is entrenched in the biopsychosocial approach. This biopsychosocial approach is an interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors, and examines how these aspects play a role in the students holistic wellbeing and development. The biopsychosocial approach will help student-teachers at VMT be aware that any one factor is not sufficient in understanding a student’s wellbeing; it is the interplay between the following:
OVERARCHING VALUES AND NORMS (RULES, MORAL CODES, BELIEFS, CULTURAL, SOCIAL NORMS)
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, SCHOOL, PEER GROUP, CHURCH
IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT WITH FAMILY, PEERS, SCHOOL, WORK-PLACE