The eminent psychologist, Dr. Madhumita was invited by your school authorities to speak to the students on the topic, ‘How to maintain robust mental health’. She delivered a lively speech without using any medical technical terms. After the lecture the students asked many questions especially about how to cope with stress during examinations. Dr. Madhumita addressed their concerns very patiently and gave them some very useful tips. Write a report in 150 – 200 words for your school magazine describing the session with the psychologist. You are Noor/Hilal Head-girl/Head-boy, National School, Sonepat.
OR
The Nilgiris Senior Secondary School is holding an interschool debate on the topic, ‘School bullies are a menace; they should be expelled’. You will be participating from your school in the debate. Write your debate in 150 – 200 words choosing a stand for or against the motion.
A report on the interaction with Dr. Madhumita
It was a sweet evening of April, 2019, when we had the opportunity of interacting with the eminent psychologist Dr. Madhumita, who was invited by the school authorities to speak to the students on the topic, ‘How to maintain robust mental health’. An issue that is of tremendous importance, especially among young students these days, she also interacted with the students later on, answering many important questions.
According to Dr. Madhumita, the biggest enemy we fight these days is not anyone else apart from our own mind, whenever it feels demotivated. Demotivation and depression can end up in huge negativity, which impacts not just us but also others around us in the long run.
It is important that we take measures to maintain positivity in terms of mental health.
She suggested, later when students were allowed an interactive session with her, how exercise, meditation and reading can help us achieve the above. She also shared her valuable advice on how to remain stress-free during examinations. According to her, if we follow the three golden rules – love yourself, read yourself to sleep, visit a new place every month – we are gifting our mental health a lot to keep it happy enough. We are glad we got this opportunity for interacting with her.
OR
School bullies are a menace; they should be expelled
Speaking against the motion
It is alarming to see the number of bullying cases in each and every school these days. Children being bullied by their seniors and sometimes by their own classmates has become such a common thing these days that we fail to realize the gravity of the situation. We sympathize with the victims and take steps to ensure that they do not face the same situation again. But when it comes to the bullies, we turn our backs on them and decide that expelling them will be the best way to deal with them. This is where we are going wrong and this is why I am here to speak against the motion.
Bullies are very much the same age as other school children and yet their behavioural patterns and outcomes are markedly different. What we need to find out and understand is the reason behind that. Quite often, these bullies have either seen similar behaviour at home or elsewhere, or are subject to such behaviour themselves. Sometimes, these children are affected due to some adversity in their life, like a loss of a family member, or ill-treatment and abuse being meted out to them elsewhere. The loss of power in other situations makes them want to feel satisfied by showing their power in front of helpless fellow children. It is not just the victims but also the bullies that need help.
Therefore, I believe, that expelling the ‘menace’ of a bully is not the right solution to the problem. In fact, the correct way to deal with them would be to counsel them, to find out why their behaviour is so, and address that situation as far as possible.