Recognizing the growing prevalence of mental health challenges, the Ministry of Education is set to roll out the Omer e Rawan programme, an initiative designed to offer comprehensive mental health prevention, promotion, and treatment services. Targeted at students, parents, and teachers within Islamabad Capital Territory, the programme aims to foster mental well-being and create a healthier educational environment.
The initiative, spearheaded by Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, will be inaugurated tomorrow (Friday) at Islamabad Model College for Girls, F-7/4. The Omer e Rawan programme includes a diverse range of activities such as needs assessments, emotional skills training for adolescents, teacher training sessions, digital self-help tools, chatbots, support groups, and referral pathways for tailored mental health services.
In collaboration with the Global Institute of Human Development at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, the programme plans to train and certify all head teachers and teachers in evidence-based strategies to enhance mental health and well-being in schools and universities over the next year. Additionally, 300 psychologists will be equipped with skills to implement these interventions across ICT’s educational institutions.
The initiative will also establish referral pathways and foster partnerships with key stakeholders to provide a robust support system. Officials highlighted that the project’s overarching goal is to ensure a supportive psychosocial environment that prioritizes mental health and emotional well-being in educational settings throughout Islamabad.
