Guidance and Counselling in Schools

This book addresses guidance and counselling needs of children and adolescents in school settings. Acknowledging that most issues which children and adolescents face do not reach clinical settings and are often addressed by primary caregivers, the book focuses on specific strategies that primary caregivers can use. With an overview of mental health concerns that arise during these developmental stages, the book focuses specifically on the roles that parents and teachers can play. Home and school together play vital roles in the lives of children and adolescents. The book thus recognises the need for them to work together and uses examples from the field to build contexts in which school children and adolescents grow. This is attempted in the backdrop of theories of psychology and mental health therapies. The volume tries to bridge the gap between theory and practical applications of mental health in everyday life. This book would be useful to the students, researchers, and teachers working in the fields of education, psychology, development studies, social work, and sociology. It would also be an invaluable companion to policy-makers, professionals from government and non-government organisations working around education and social development.

Namita Ranganathan is a Professor in the Department of Education, Central Institute of Education, University of Delhi. She has over 35 years of teaching and research experience. Her specialisations are in the area of Childhood and Adolescence Studies, Personality Psychology and Guidance, Counselling and Education for Mental Health. She has extensively engaged with schools across the country through various projects with UNFPA, CARE India, Aga Khan Foundation, MHRD and Save the Children. She has been giving public lectures on issues of mental health and well-being. Toolika Wadhwa is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, University of Delhi. Her doctoral work was in the area of identity development and religion in the context of families and schools. Her work as a teacher educator and her research work with Aga Khan Foundation and UNFPA have enriched her exposure to and understanding of schools.

1. Conceptualising Mental Health: Historical Evolution and Contemporary Notions of Mental Health 2. Theories and Therapies: Psychodynamic Approaches 3. Theories and Therapies: Behavioural and Cognitive Behavioural Approaches 4. Theories and Therapies: Humanistic Approaches 5. Context Specific Therapies 6. Conceptualising a Mentally Healthy Personality 7. Recent Trends in Mental Health and Implications for Schools 8. Psychosocial World of Children and Adolescents 9. Understanding School Students in Context 10. School Mental Health: Issues and Challenges 11. Addressing Mental Health Concerns 12. Behavioural Problems in School Children 13. Deconstructing Addiction and Abuse among Children 14. Personal and Social Development of Children 15. Sexuality Issues and Concerns 16. Understanding Self and Identity 17. Managing Stress and Anxiety 18. Counselling Skills for Teachers and Parents