Objective

To develop the knowledge and skills of secondary grade teachers and prepare them as an first aider of mental wellbeing through training and regular assistance on understanding young and adolescent minds, learning about detecting behavioral signs of vulnerability and age appropriate intervention. Also to explore a school based integrated mental wellbeing approach with remote monitoring for sustained promotion of tolerance and peaceful practice among the adolescent and youth.

Background

Dnet worked on mental wellbeing of adolescents for enhancing tolerance and inclusiveness in thinking and whole school behavioral management approach. The project was designed to promote tolerance and inclusion over the ideological differences and conflict that can be minimized by ensuring mental wellbeing at young age. Teacher can play an important role to manage behavior of students through proper intervention based on capacity development for mental wellbeing of adolescents.

Due to the growing tendency of intolerance over different ideological belief, it showed a demand of early detection of behavioral signs and appropriate interventions through addressing the psychological reasons of vulnerability. The project was designed to promote tolerance and inclusion over the ideological differences and conflict that can be minimized by ensuring mental wellbeing at young age. Teacher can play an important role to manage behavior of students through proper intervention based on capacity development for mental wellbeing of adolescents.

Teachers and parents with knowledge and skills on behavioral signs of mental wellbeing can be the appropriate change agent to guide them in a right direction to prevent the idealized danger like violent extremism.

Approach

The targeted youth 13-16 years of age, both male and female were reached via secondary schools and madrasas through direct orientation by the trained teachers. In partnership with Democracy International (DI), Dnet implemented the project in total 15 schools of Dhaka and Lalmonirhat. In phase 1, total 75 teachers were trained, 386 parents were aware through awareness sessions and 362 students were well informed through knowledge campaign about mental wellbeing. In phase 2, total 101 teachers were trained and 284 teachers were mentored for behavioral management and peaceful practice in school environment of the students through school visit in the project locations.