18/09/2026
๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก
Ms Karishma Pathania, School Counsellor, Heritage School, recently participated in a three-day National-Level Workshop on โDigital Age and Child Mental Health: Behavioural Addictions, Screen Use and Emerging Psychopathologyโ, held from 10 to 12 September 2026 at Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh. The workshop was approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India and organised by the Department of Psychology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, in collaboration with PGGCG, Chandigarh, and the Indian Association of Health, Research and Welfare.
On her return, Ms Pathania conducted an interactive session for the school teachers, sharing valuable insights into the impact of excessive phone use and digital devices on childrenโs mental health and relationships. She explained the difference between a habit and addiction, highlighting how behavioural addictions can affect the brain, heart and overall well-being.
She further discussed the darker side of digital interactions, drawing attention to cyberbullying and its various forms, including harassment, doxxing, outing and trickery. The discussion emphasised the importance of creating awareness among children and equipping them to navigate digital spaces with caution, empathy and responsibility.
As practical remedial measures, Ms Pathania encouraged teachers to build stronger bonds with students, foster supportive classroom environments and promote positive peer interactions. She also discussed an activity encouraging students to speak about the good qualities of their peers, thereby nurturing kindness,empathy and healthy relationships.
The session concluded with an informative discussion on the responsible use of digital devices and ways to support children facing emotional or psychological challenges.
Ms Pathania also shared important government-approved helpline numbers, including ๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐-๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐๐ / ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐), ensuring that teachers were aware of available support systems.