Don Bosco College, Panjim, organized a Training and Sensitization Session on Mental Health for its teaching, non-teaching and administrative staff on September 8, 2026.

The one-hour session, held from 12 noon to 1 p.m., was conducted as part of the initiatives of the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and the National Task Force on Mental Health in Higher Education Institutions. The programme aimed to enhance staff awareness and preparedness in responding to students facing mental-health concerns.



The session was coordinated by Dr Sweta Shyam Matonkar, nodal officer – National Task Force, Don Bosco College, and conducted by Dr Vithoba Narayan Mhalkar, associate professor, DPN Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Government of Goa. A total of 51 staff members participated.



Key topics included psychological first aid, recognizing warning signs, responding to self-harm concerns, referral and support mechanisms, and creating a safe and inclusive campus environment. Dr Mhalkar emphasized the need to respond to students with sensitivity, empathy and without judgment.

The session was well received by the participants, with feedback collected at the end of the programme. It was seen as an important step towards strengthening mental-health awareness and fostering a psychologically safe and supportive environment at Don Bosco College.