College life provides variety of experiences to the students which help in their personal growth and identity achievement. It is the time they start enjoying their rights and freedom, celebrating love and friendship and also become aware about their responsibilities. College days give memories to be passionately cherished and loved. Youngsters with enthusiasm and motivation find their own ways during this period, when they are tested and molded for the booming future. College life broadens one’s horizon, expands social circle and opens the door to find themselves.
However, during this exciting journey, students usually experience stress, which might disrupt their health and well-being. Stepping into the college, the students experience many changes. This transition might pose a significant challenge to their mental health, which involves our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health can affect the way we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. All the success that we dream for, come our way when we think and act with a clear and healthy mind. However, the stress encountered by the students may have a negative influence on their physical, social, emotional, and academic states. The help of a psychologist would be very valuable at this stage. Here comes the relevance of the project Jeevani by the Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala, which focuses on the mental well-being of the students in the government colleges in Kerala.
Project Jeevani intends to improve awareness and promotion of mental health among college students along with ensuring early identification of psychological issues among these students. Addressing age appropriate psychological and social factors are essential in building young people’s lives. It is vital to focus on helping young people to develop the skills necessary for managing their conditions. Attending to the issues of these students is of great importance, as it is the period that paves way to the successful lives of the students. The Jeevani counsellor will be with the students in their journey in college, sharing their joys and sorrows, helping them with their pains. Such a psychosocial help would definitely prove to be of immense benefit to the students. This will be a milestone as far as the state of Kerala is concerned, and this can also be a model for other states in the area of mental health.