Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib, in collaboration with the District Education Office, Fatehgarh Sahib, successfully organized a one-day workshop titled “Counsel the Counselors” . The workshop focused on the theme “Fostering Mental Health in Schools” and was specifically designed for school counselors of the Fatehgarh Sahib district. The event aimed to empower school counselors by enhancing their understanding of mental health issues and equipping them with tools and strategies to support student well-being. The workshop began with a warm welcome to the participants and dignitaries, setting a positive tone for the day. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Damanjit Sandhu, Dean, Directorate of International Affairs, Punjabi University, Patiala. In her insightful session, she highlighted the growing mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents in the post-pandemic world. She stressed the importance of early intervention, emotional support systems, and the crucial role school counselors play in creating a nurturing educational environment. An engaging session by young historian Simar Singh followed, where he emphasized the value of historical storytelling in motivation and counseling. Through examples from history, he illustrated how students can be inspired to develop resilience, moral values, and emotional strength. Harmanjit Singh from the Employment Generation Department shared key initiatives and government schemes focused on youth empowerment and employability. His session aimed to bridge the gap between education and skill development. Mr. Deepak Kumar, District Guidance Counselor, also interacted with the organizers, strengthening collaborative efforts for future initiatives. Trust members Jagdeep Singh Cheema and Avtar Singh Ria were also present on the occasion. Jaswinder Singh, Secretary of the Trust, appreciated the efforts of the staff for organizing the event.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Lakhvir Singh, Principal, BBSBEC, who acknowledged the contributions of all speakers and participants. He emphasized the importance of such interactive platforms in promoting mental health awareness and enhancing the effectiveness of school counseling. The event witnessed the active participation of guidance counselors from 82 schools across the district, along with faculty members of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College. The workshop served as a significant step towards building a supportive mental health framework within the school ecosystem.