“Mental Health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.”- Noam Shpancer

World Mental Health Day is an International Day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It is observed globally on 10th October every year. The theme of World Mental Health Day this year is, 'Access to Services- Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies’, the theme is based on “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies.”

According to World Health Organisation, around 1 in 7 of the world's adolescents have a mental disorder. Thus, it is important to cater the mental health needs of the adolescents, starting from school. Therefore, Don Bosco School, Trasi observed the World Mental Health Day in the School Auditorium on 10th October 2025, under the slogan “Your Mind Matters”. The event aimed at raising awareness on the theme, “Effect of Drug Abuse on the Mental Health of Students”. The students belonging to Classes I to XII were engaged in the program held during the morning assembly.

The event was hosted by the Department of Wellness in collaboration with the Anti-Drug and Awareness Committee and the students of Junior College. The program was officially inaugurated with the release of the theme poster by Rev. Fr. Maxim D’Souza, the Rector and Principal accompanied by Rev. Fr. Bryce Rodrigues, the Vice Principal of the school. The program commenced with a warm welcome, followed by brief introduction on the significance of the day. The event featured a skit presentation from students of Class XI Commerce, wherein the students showcased the causes and consequences of mental illness and drug abuse. The skit shared the message of how seeking help is always better than opting for unhealthy modes of coping with mental health concerns, especially substance abuse and suicide.

The students also shared the importance and methods of promoting mental health in school through their speeches. To instil and demonstrate the connection of physical health with mental health, there was a copy dance session for all the students and teachers. All of them actively participated and enjoyed the session. The Wellness Teacher, Tr. Rakshitha N.J, informed the importance of exercise and physical activity on mental health, especially in the enhancement of feel-good emotions like joy and happiness.

Fr. Maxim D’Souza, the Rector and Principal emphasized the importance of mental health in the academic environment, which comprises of the mental health of all the stakeholders like teachers and students. He highlighted the importance of celebrating the significant days and programs like Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, Anti-Drug Awareness and Mental Health Day which enhances mental and emotional wellbeing in the school premises. He added, “It is important to take care of mental health more than physical health, because, if we are not feeling good in our mind which occupies all of our body, we fail to perform any physical activity as well.” With the raising concern of mental health, he informed the students regarding the help available, the support from management, counsellor and all the teachers. He asked them to never hesitate to approach the resources when they find life difficult. He encouraged all the students to focus on the slogan of the mental health day celebration, ‘Your Mind Matters’ and pay attention to taking care of their mind. He also humorously shared some of the commonly used phrases and idioms with the words mind and matter.
The event ended with the National Anthem.