Mental Health Fest 2025: One Direction – Stronger, Kinder, Together

Shiv Nadar School Faridabad observed Mental Health Fest 2025 from 8th to 10th October, centered around the theme “One Direction – Stronger, Kinder, Together.” The week reflected the school community’s shared commitment to empathy, resilience, and collective well-being across students, teachers, parents, and staff.

The campus came alive with warmth and creativity through activities such as the “From Me to You” Bridge Activity, where seniors exchanged heartfelt letters with juniors, and the Mindful Walk, which featured gratitude and affirmation checkpoints. Corridors were adorned with vibrant displays of affirmations, art, and reflections — each carrying the message of unity and kindness.

In the Early Years and Primary, students engaged in activities like Helping Hands, Happy Mail, and Arrow Notes, learning how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Middle and Senior Years students led well-being sessions, designed posters, wrote affirmation cards, and created gratitude walls — fostering openness, connection, and peer support.

Throughout October, classes across grades explored essential mental health themes such as self-awareness, perception-taking, and building healthy relationships with oneself and others. Students expressed their understanding through posters, poems, and slogans that promoted empathy and awareness among peers. An interdisciplinary collaboration with the library encouraged them to connect literature with emotional well-being and mindfulness — reflecting on how stories and characters model resilience and strength.

“Conversations that Matter” engaged students, teachers, and support staff in meaningful discussions on self-care practices and mental health. These dialogues encouraged reflection, expression, and the understanding that mental well-being is a shared journey within the community.

The Teachers’ Fest on 8th October brought faculty and staff together through art, games, music, affirmations, and laughter, reinforcing the importance of collective joy. The Green Day Celebration further symbolized hope, balance, and inclusiveness, with staff wearing green in solidarity for mental health awareness.

Parents were an integral part of the celebration through a three-part webinar series featuring experts Dr. Saurabh Mehrotra, Prachi Srivastava, and Gloria Burrett, focusing on informed parenting, balanced expectations, and family well-being.

The support staff joined in a heartwarming Well-being Samosa Party, celebrating their contributions and strengths with joy and gratitude.

In the Middle Years, students created a “Community Poster” — a collective art piece symbolizing unity, emotional expression, and belonging. Another highlight was “Affirmation Cards for the Unsung Heroes,” where students wrote personalized notes in Hindi to appreciate the school’s support staff.

Beyond structured sessions, spontaneous gestures like gratitude boards and informal reflections captured the essence of the fest — inclusivity, appreciation, and shared strength.

The celebration beautifully reminded everyone that when we walk together, every step feels lighter, every burden smaller, and every heart stronger — a true reflection of being Stronger, Kinder, Together.