Adolescence is the most complex and crucial stage in one’s life. Moreover, in the present social scenario, a lot of adolescents face several physical and mental harassment by society. Realizing this the Higher Secondary Directorate launched a unique, novel, and innovative program – Adolescent Counseling and Health Care in November 2011. This program implemented in higher secondary schools throughout Kerala by the Souhrida Club. Souhrida Club assured a platform for the students to express their problems, frankly, privately, and transparently. The aim of the club is to improve the physical, academic, social, and Interpersonal skills of the adolescents and lead them towards a successful adulthood.
The objectives of Souhrida Club are:
- to enable self-development and empowerment of adolescents.
- to identify adolescent problems.
- to practice life skill education.
- to spread awareness among them about health, hygiene, nutrition, mental and reproductive health.
Souhrida Vedi: Constitution
- Chairman – Mr. S. Unnikrishnan (Principal)
- Souhrida Co-ordinator – Mrs. Sheeja K Kurian
- PTA President – Mr. Harimohan Kumar
- Staff Secretary – Mrs. S. Lekshmi
- Career Guide – Mrs. Maya S
- School Convenors – Kum. Gowri. M & Master. Muhammed Razaq
A drop box is kept at school for students to drop their grievances/problems at school, class, home, or any other areas.
The main regular programs of Souhrida Club are:
- ‘Know thyself’ is a regular program conducted by the Souhrida Club on reproductive and mental health for the students. Interactive sessions by doctors and counselors support the students to maintain absolute reproductive and mental health. It provides counseling to adolescents on psychological and social problems.
- ‘Makkale Ariyan’ is earlier known as ‘Amma Ariyan’ and these awareness sessions are held to help parents deal with their children.
- ‘Safety Plus’ classes equip the students to deal with the disaster’. Experts in ‘Disaster Management’ are handling the sessions.
- ‘Karuthu’’ is the self-defense training program for girls
Even though the club started functioning in 2012 for adolescent counseling, it took one year to reach its full potential. The academic year 2013-14, was remarkable for the club as it was marked with a lot of innovative programs like Republic Day celebrations, Food Festivals, philanthropic activities, antinarcotic program, etc. The Republic day celebrations often end up with colorful rallies through the towns and villages.
The club was able to retain its vibrant level throughout the remaining years. A Road Safety awareness rally was conducted by Souhrida Club in association with the Motor Vehicles Department in2014.
The year 2015 was the milestone of the Souhrida club, not only for the school alone but for the entire state too. The Career Guidance and Adolescent Counseling cell under the Higher Secondary Directorate developed a tool for aptitude tests for the higher secondary students. Though we didn’t have the Career Guidance Unit, our school was selected as one of the 100 schools identified for this study.
- Reproductive Health: From 2014 to 2017, Dr. Rugmini B V, Gynaecologist, Ebenezer Hospital, Kayamkulam handled reproductive health care classes. And Dr. Mini Unnikrishnan, Homeopathic Consultant took classes during 2018 and 2019 for both genders.
- Mental Health: Well known personalities as Dr. Nisha (Department of Community Medicine, Medical College, Alappuzha, Dr. Rejith Kumar (Lecturer, Kaladi University), Dr. A Nazeem (Deputy Superintendent, Police Narcotic Cell), Mr. Justin Padamadan (Clinical Psychologist), Mr. Brahmanayakam (State Resource Person of National Service Scheme) had taken classes on mental health.
Yoga-based counseling classes were taken by Mr. Harikumar (Senior Scientist, IREL). Motivational classes for students to face challenges in future were handled by Mr. Nandalal, Hypnotic Counsellor and motivator], Dr. Sebind (Psychiatrist Medical College, Alappuzha], Mr. Babu (Assistant. Prof. St. Joseph Engineering College, Pala), Mr. Jayalal (Higher Secondary School Teacher, Pattanakad), Mrs.Theresa John (Psychologist, Sahaya), Mr.Shaji, Mr. Santhosh Vichara Dr. P Balachandran and Mr. Suresh.
Since 2015, we conducted the program ‘ Makkale Ariyan’ for parents of 1st-year students. Mr. T. George Bhanan, (Director CFCC, Thiruvananthapuram, and Clinical Psychologist), Mr. Suhail, (Director CIGI, Alappuzha), Dr. Rugmini, Dr. Jayaprakash (HSST, PKK SM HSS] discussed adolescent issues with parents.
- Residential Camps: Every year the school convenors attend three days’ residential camp conducted by the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education.
- Souhrida Day Celebration: Every year Souhrida Day is celebrated on November 20th.
- DISHA is a new venture opened up by CG and AC to make students more career-focused. When DISHA 2018 conducted at Alappuzha District, Souhrida Club members of RVSM shouldered the responsibility of the volunteers.
- Safety Plus: During 2019-20, five Souhrida club volunteers participated in Road Safety and Disaster Management program conducted by DHSE in association with the Motor Vehicle Department at Boys Higher Secondary School, Mavelikara. And another Disaster Control Training Programme was conducted in our school in association with ‘Fire and Rescue Department.
- Anti-Drug addiction Programme: Mr. Thomas Wilson in association with PHC Devikulangara, Mrs. Remla Beevi (Assistant Sub Inspector, Pink Police, Alappuzha), Rev. Fr. Reji Yohannan and his wife Mrs. Annamma (Marthoma De-addiction center, Adoor) handled awareness classes.
- Palliative Care: Observe Geriatric Day ever year. The members regularly visit asylums – ‘Jyothis’ Mavelikara (Institution for mentally challenged children), ‘Saisham’ Valiyakulangara (Old Age home), and spend time with the inmates.