From,

Maveeran Somasundaram,
Founder Trustee,
Aram Care Foundation,
No 3 , Perumal Koil Street,
Nerkundram,
Chennai 600107.

To,
Director,
Namma School Foundation,
State Council of Educational Research,
Tamil Nadu.

Dear Director,
I am writing on behalf of the Aram Care Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
promoting mental health and well-being in our community. We are excited to express our
interest in conducting a Mental Health Awareness Program in Government schools of
Chennai , Thiruvallur , Kanchipuram Districts under the purview of the Namma School
Foundation.

Our foundation has a strong commitment to improving the mental health of students and
educators, recognizing the vital role that mental well-being plays in overall academic and
personal development. Through our program, we aim to provide valuable information,
resources, and support to students, teachers, and school staff to help foster a positive and
nurturing environment for all.

The objectives of our Mental Health Awareness Program include:

● Increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues among students and
educators.
● Reducing stigma associated with mental health challenges.
● Providing strategies and tools for stress management and emotional resilience.
● Understanding the changes in the body during adolescence and how digital media
impacts the body and mind
● Promoting open dialogue and communication about mental health within the school
community.
 ● Offering guidance on where to seek help and support when needed.

We believe that this program aligns closely with the goals and values of the State Council of
Educational Research in ensuring the holistic development and well-being of students. We
would like to request permission to conduct this program in schools within your jurisdiction,
especially for children in class 10 and above.

We are prepared to work closely with school administrators and educational authorities to tailor
the program to the specific needs and schedules of each school. Our team of mental health
professionals and educators has extensive experience in delivering such programs effectively
and with sensitivity. We are launching this awareness campaign on World Mental Health Day
on October 10, 2023 and have plans to execute this programme in one school every month.

We kindly request a meeting or discussion to further explore the possibility of collaboration. We

are flexible and open to any requirements or guidelines set forth by the State Council of
Educational Research to ensure a seamless and successful partnership.

Please let us know a convenient time for a meeting or any specific procedures we should follow
to obtain the necessary approvals and permissions. You can reach us at +91 9884191288 or via
email at contact@aramcarefoundation.com

Thank you for considering our proposal, and we look forward to the opportunity to work together
to promote mental health awareness and support in our schools.

Sincerely,

Maveeran Somasundaram
Founder Trustee
Aram Care Foundation
 PROJECT PROPOSAL

A PROJECT PROGRAM FROM ARAM CARE FOUNDATION:

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY OCTOBER 10TH
2023
PROJECT TITLE:
Let's stand against the stigma and protect our Mental Health.

RESOURCE PERSON:
● Ms GAYATHRI, Psychotherapist
○ She owns a Masters in Social Work, PG in Counselling and Guidance.
○ Gayatri is a professional Psychotherapist, active magazine columnist,
writer, speaker and an intensive researcher about ART Therapy to
unveil the subconscious emotions.
○ She has contributed articles and interview to magazines like Thozhi,
Dinamalar, All India Radio, Uyirosai etc.
○ She offers counselling for relationship enrichment, peer group issues
and career advise to teens and adults in schools and colleges.
○ She is a highly sought after guest lecturer at centres like Mahathi, Athma
○ Her motivational speeches at the IAS and competitive exam training
centres

● Ms SANTHYA KRISHNAN, Psychotherapist

○ Client focused mental health therapist with 7 years of experience in art
based therapy and 1 year experience in individual and group counseling
with stress and anxiety disorder. Strong communicator with keen
perceptions, that allows me to work with people helping them find
possible solutions and help clients gain practical insights into their
situations.
○ Postgraduate Diploma in Transpersonal Therapy ,Postgraduate Diploma
in child and Adolescent Counseling ,Postgraduate Diploma In Art Child
Psychology - Mount Bridge University , Columbia
]
PROPOSED SCHOOL: 10th , 12th grade Students of Any Govenrment High, Higher Secondary
School as Recommended by Department DURATION: 60 to 90 Minutes

ESTIMATED EXPENSES PER SESSION : 5000 INR

BACKGROUND:

This project especially targets supporting government school students who are on the brink of
their public exams. Its principal objective is to emphasize the significance of mental well-being
among these students, particularly those who may be grappling with stress and anxiety as their
exams draw near. Through this initiative, we aim to provide these students with the necessary
guidance and resources to comprehend the crucial role mental health plays in their overall
academic performance.

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

Raise Awareness: To make students aware of the significance of mental health, especially
during the pandemic, and to let them know that they are not alone in facing these challenges.

Provide Coping Strategies: Offer practical coping strategies and techniques that students can
use to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Support System: Create a support system within the school and community, where students
can reach out for help and counselling if they are experiencing difficulties related to their mental
health.

Study Skills: Provide guidance on effective study habits and time management to help students
better prepare for their public exams.

Peer Support: Encourage students to support each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie
among those facing similar academic pressures.

Holistic Approach: Promote a comprehensive approach to mental health, involving teachers,

parents, and community members, to ensure students receive the necessary support.
Specific objectives of the project include:

● Increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues among students

and educators.
● Reducing stigma associated with mental health challenges.
● Providing strategies for stress management and emotional resilience.
● Understanding the changes in the body during adolescence and how digital media
impacts the body and mind.
● Promoting open dialogue and communication about mental health within the
school community.
● To encourage them to think about the possible ways to relieve stress.
● To decrease the chances of teenagers who commit suicide due to mental
● Health problems.
● Offering guidance on where to seek help and support when needed.

Understanding Changes in the Body during Adolescence:

Adolescence is a crucial period marked by significant physical and hormonal changes. These
physical changes can lead to increased self-awareness and body image concerns among
adolescents. Moreover, the brain undergoes development, affecting decision-making, emotions,
and risk-taking behaviours. Understanding these changes is essential for both adolescents and
adults, as it helps provide appropriate support and guidance during this transitional phase.

Impact of Digital Media on the Body and Mind: Digital media, such as smartphones, social
media, and online content, has a profound impact on the bodies and minds of adolescents. Here
are some key points to consider:

Physical Health: Excessive screen time can contribute to sedentary behaviour, leading to
physical health issues like obesity and posture problems. Poor sleep quality due to screen use
at night can also affect physical health negatively.
Mental Health: Constant exposure to social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low
self-esteem, and anxiety Cyberbullying and online harassment can have severe psychological
effects.

Cognitive Development: Excessive use of digital media may impact cognitive development,
including attention span, memory, and critical thinking skills. Multitasking, which is common in
digital environments, can reduce cognitive efficiency.

Addiction and Impulsivity: Digital media, especially gaming and social media, can be
addictive and lead to impulsive behavior. This can affect decision-making and academic
performance.

Sleep Disruption: The use of screens before bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns, as the blue
light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates
sleep.
To mitigate these negative impacts, it is essential for adolescents and their caregivers to
practice digital media literacy, set screen time limits, encourage physical activity, and promote
open communication about online experiences. Additionally, schools and communities can
provide education on responsible digital media use to help adolescents navigate the digital
world safely and mindfully.

RESPONDENT
• students in government schools who are preparing for their public exams.

PLAN
In our planning, we will conduct seminars and health teaching about mental health and ways
to handle factors that affect their mental health.

ACTIVITY
• We will be having an open forum so that everyone will become comfortable and speak about
their problems.
• Proposed interventions that will protect mental health.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
The proposed project is a step that aims to address the needs of students in government
schools who are preparing for their public exams. This initiative /project is diligently executed
on a monthly basis, exclusively tailored for the students of various government schools.
Through this meticulous process, we aspire to ignite a flame of awareness, paving the way for
the holistic betterment of the students.

Specific expected outcomes include:

1. Students will be able to have good social relations.
2. They will overcome the obstacles in mental health problems
3. They are willing to seek professional health care for counseling
4. Students will be able to handle the situations with the help of interventions they get after
the seminar.