Project MATE (Mind Activation Through Education) by AIIMS and CBSE
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, inaugurated the Project MATE (Mind Activation Through Education) training programme on 26th August 2025 at AIIMS, New Delhi.
The programme brought together nearly 50 school counselors and wellness teachers from CBSE schools across the Delhi-NCR region. Our school counselor, Mrs. Aafreen Sarfaraz was selected to attend this training by the CBSE. This pioneering initiative, developed at AIIMS Delhi, focuses on adolescent wellness, aiming to enhance resilience, build coping strategies, and foster meaningful peer connections through the innovative concept of “MATE-5.”
The training was inaugurated in the presence of eminent dignitaries including Prof. Dr. M. Srinivas (Director, AIIMS), Shri Rahul Singh, IAS (Chairperson, CBSE), Shri Himanshu Gupta, IAS (Secretary, CBSE), Prof. Dr. K.K. Verma (Dean Academics, AIIMS) and Prof. Dr. Nand Kumar (Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS). Their insights on the importance of integrating education and health, building resilience, and normalizing mental health in schools set a strong foundation for the week-long sessions.
Over the five days, she engaged in interactive workshops and discussions facilitated by experts from psychiatry, psychology, and communication. The training covered a wide range of themes such as:
- The bio-psycho-social model of health
- Resilience building and coping strategies for adolescents
- Anxiety management techniques
- Parental sensitization and family roles
- Nutrition and lifestyle awareness
- Peer support systems through the concept of MATE-5
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was the emphasis on creating safe and supportive environments for students where mental health is treated as an integral part of overall health. The sessions highlighted the need to address loneliness, stress, digital challenges, and emotional disconnection among today’s youth with structured, positive interventions.
As a counselor, this experience was enriching and empowering. The strategies and tools shared during the programme will greatly enhance the ability to support students in developing resilience, emotional well-being, and meaningful peer connections.