ABSTRACT
This investigation explores teachers’ and counselors’ perceptions about schools’ role in supporting students’ mental health, thereby examining their perspectives on the actions taken by schools to offer support. Between July 2021 and March 2022, 91 secondary school teachers and 83 school counsellors (M age = 39.46) from New Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Bengaluru replied to open-ended questions. Providing support to kids at the right time, working in team, taking lead by being on the frontline, and education, were the important themes that emerged from this research, albeit there were notable differences in perceptions and opinions across school counselors and teaching staff. School counselors showed vigorous support for evidence-based initiatives in schools that specifically addressed students’ mental health and wellbeing. Findings of the study suggest that effectively addressing the menace of mental health-related issues among school students would require clearly defined professional responsibilities and a coordinated effort by all the stakeholders.
