Mental Health & Inclusion Day @Apeejay School, Pitampura: Where kindness meets curriculum 

Mental health isn’t just about feeling happy—it’s about understanding, expressing, and supporting one another through life’s highs and lows. Apeejay School, Pitampura took this philosophy to heart as it celebrated Mental Health and Inclusion Day in a heartwarming and spirited manner. The day’s hosts, Anushka and Nysa Sabharwal, opened the celebration by sharing how the school already practices well-being daily through its Peer Educator Clubs and Inclusive Education initiatives.

Where Inclusion Becomes a Way of Life  

The school’s vibrant ecosystem includes storytelling events, sensory play days for students with special needs, and life skills sessions that strengthen emotional awareness. The MindSmart program empowers peer educators to identify emotional distress among students and create safe spaces for conversations. The sight of students wearing green and yellow wristbands—symbolizing mental health and inclusion—painted a beautiful picture of solidarity. Selfie boards reading “Everyone Fits in Here” and art displays titled “Don’t Ghost Your Mental Health” struck a chord with Gen Z students.

Expert Talk with a Heart
The celebration began with an insightful session by Ms. Manya Khanna, proud alumna and Expressive Arts-Based Therapist at Fortis Healthcare. Introducing the class 11 batch and class 12 Psychology students to alternate career pathways, she broadened their perspective on this dynamic field. From sports psychology and psycho-oncology to neuropsychology, art therapy, and forensic psychology, military psychology, consumer psychology and more Ms. Khanna showed how every passion could find a place within the discipline. Her rich informative presentation also includes details about specialised courses and the institutions offering the same. 

Tiny Artists, Big Messages  
Class 5 students took over next with a poster-making activity on the theme Mental Health and Inclusion. Working in groups, they poured their imagination into colorful posters and catchy captions that practiced inclusivity hands on and also reflected empathy and teamwork. A short quiz added to the fun, testing students’ understanding of emotional wellness in a lighthearted way. Their laughter and ideas filled the school compound with a refreshing sense of positivity—proof that conversations about mental health can be both meaningful and joyful.

The Web of Care: We’re All Connected
In one of the most moving activities of the day, Class 9 students participated in The Web of Care. Sitting in a circle, they passed a ball of yarn to peers they interacted with less often, offering each one a sincere compliment. As the web of yarn grew, so did their realization of how every thought, word, and gesture connects us all. “Through giving compliments, I understood how interconnected we all are for our well-being. I learned how we all must include everyone in the group and make it a safe space for all,” shared Aditi Jindal, class 9 student, capturing the spirit of the exercise perfectly.

Fun, Films, and Feelings: The Jeopardy Quiz
The energy soared as Classes 6 and 7 dived into the Jeopardy Quiz—a fast-paced, laughter-filled competition with four creative rounds: Memes and Judgement, Two Truths and a Lie, Meet the Inspiring Icons, and From the Screen. The last round drew huge cheers as students identified mental health conditions portrayed in Bollywood films—from Rani Mukherjee’s Tourette’s syndrome in Hichki to Darsheel Safary’s dyslexia in Taare Zameen Par.
Quizmasters Nysa Mehra (Class 12), Shubhan Bhardwaj, and Sabhya Jain (Class 9) shared, “We researched deeply to make questions fun, relevant, and educational. As peer counsellors, it was exciting to combine learning with laughter.”

Pass the Ball, Catch a Thought  
For Class 8, the “Catch Your Thought” activity combined humor and heart. Similar to “passing the parcel,” students passed a ball until the music stopped—whoever caught it had to answer a question about managing tricky social situations. The creative answers ranged from witty to wise, with one student cheekily comparing their busy life to Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Rest! The rule that only compliments could “unfreeze” stuck players added an uplifting touch, turning play into an exercise in empathy.

“Such activities build awareness of emotional well-being across all age groups from junior, to middle and high school students,” noted Divyanshi Singh (Class 12), the student coordinator.

Guided by Compassionate Minds

Mrs. Dharini Sahni, PGT Psychology and School Counsellor, reflected, “Through these activities, students learn the ground reality of being responsible for someone else’s mental well-being. They practice inclusion not as a concept, but as a way of life.”

Ms. Aashima Sharma, Special Educator, added, “Our students took initiative and organised wonderful events that broadened their understanding of inclusion and empathy. As a special educator, it was heartening to see this awareness come alive.”

With thoughtful activities, laughter, and heartfelt reflections, Mental Health and Inclusion Day at Apeejay School, Pitampura became more than a celebration—it became a movement. One that reminded everyone that kindness heals, connection strengthens, and in this school community, everyone truly fits in.

 “The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love,” said Michelle Obama — a thought that deeply resonates with me. At Apeejay School, Pitampura, we believe in nurturing that spirit every day. Let’s be friends to all, for communication is the first step toward healing.” 

Mrs. Veena Goel, 
Principal, Apeejay School, Pitampura