M.E.S. Indian School, in collaboration with its Guidance and Counselling Department, organised a comprehensive resilience-building session titled “Safe Today – Strong Tomorrow” for students of Grades KG –8. The session was thoughtfully designed to provide emotional support, promote safety awareness, and strengthen students’ coping skills during challenging and uncertain times. Addressing the students, the school Principal, Dr Hameeda Kadar, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Government of Qatar for its effective measures ensuring the safety and security of all. She also thanked the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) for its timely guidelines and regular updates, and conveyed sincere appreciation to the Embassy officials for their constant support during the prevailing period of uncertainty and instability.
Ms Tulika Mukherjee, Ms Fashna Abdul Samad, Ms Irene Thomas and Ms Shahana Fathima KC from the Department of Guidance and Counselling were the resource persons. With a strong focus on “Support and Coping Strategies,” the session emphasised the significance of emotional regulation as a mark of maturity and inner strength during sensitive situations.
Students were guided on the importance of remaining calm and composed during emergencies, prioritising safety above all, and building inner resilience to foster emotional well-being. They were encouraged not to panic during unforeseen circumstances but instead to adopt practical strategies that help in managing fear and anxiety effectively.
The session emphasised sharing apprehensions with genuine caregivers and trusted individuals, such as parents, teachers, counsellors, and other responsible adults. Students were sensitised to the importance of seeking reassurance from reliable sources rather than being influenced by rumours or misinformations. Students were advised to use social media judiciously and to refrain from trusting unverified or unconfirmed messages. They were cautioned against clicking on suspicious links from invalid sources and were reminded to rely solely on official and reliable platforms for time-to-time updates. The session also emphasised the importance of staying indoors during sensitive situations, strictly adhering to parental and school instructions, and avoiding areas near windows to minimise unnecessary risks.
To strengthen emotional well-being, practical calming techniques such as simple deep breathing exercises were demonstrated. Students were encouraged to engage in prayer and meditation to cultivate inner peace. The session also suggested engaging in constructive indoor activities such as reading storybooks, listening to music, journaling, playing mind games and board games, and practising creative writing, thereby channelising energy positively and productively. School officials, parents, and students actively participated in the online session.
Through initiatives such as “Safe Today – Strong Tomorrow,” M.E.S. Indian School reiterated its unwavering commitment to nurturing not only academic excellence but also the emotional resilience and holistic well-being of its students. The school also assured students and parents that online classes have been organised to facilitate uninterrupted academic progress while placing paramount importance on safety.