New Delhi: Over 20 schools in Meghalaya have introduced Project MATE (Mind Activation Through Education), an innovative programme developed by AIIMS-Delhi to help students better cope with stress and anxiety.
Led by Dr. Nand Kumar, a professor in the Department of Psychology at AIIMS-Delhi, the initiative is being implemented under the Meghalaya Programme for Adolescent Wellbeing, with corporate social responsibility support from Oil India Limited.
Targeting students in classes VI to VIII, Project MATE aims to enhance children’s ability to manage daily stress and foster their biopsychosocial development.
Dr. Kumar noted that the programme addresses a growing need, as schoolchildren increasingly face stress due to factors like peer pressure, early childhood trauma, academic competition, social media, and gaming.
Originally conceived in 2020, Project MATE emphasises promoting wellness and positive mental health among schoolchildren.
The programme’s core concept, MATE-5, encourages students to build a supportive network of five close friends to foster emotional and social wellness.
Dr. Kumar explained that changes in family structures, such as the decline of joint families and the prevalence of single-child households, have limited children’s opportunities to form deep emotional connections.
“MATE-5 seeks to recreate those vital bonds by helping children build a circle of five trusted friends who provide understanding and support,” he said.
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The initiative is delivered through experiential workshops involving students, parents, and teachers, creating a holistic approach to mental well-being.
Several educational institutions nationwide have expressed interest in adopting the programme, further highlighting its impact.
To encourage the concept of MATE-5, AIIMS-Delhi introduced the MATE Excellence Awards, recognizing young changemakers who embody the principles of social connection and mutual support.
