Promoting Mental Wellbeing in Children through Compassionate Care
The Conference of Religious Women India (CRWI), in collaboration with the School of Psychological Sciences, Christ University, organized a five-day Capacity-Building Training for Sisters in the Education Ministry titled “Guardians of the Mind.” Held from 2nd to 7th October at the Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, the program brought together 60 religious sisters from across India, creating a vibrant space for learning, reflection, and transformation.
The training was inaugurated with a keynote address by Sr. Molly Mathew, Executive Director of CRWI, who beautifully connected the workshop to the Feast of the Guardian Angels, highlighting how every sister is called to be a guardian of the holistic wellbeing of each child. She also shared inspiring insights about CRWI’s mission, its various units, and the collective efforts being made to serve and empower religious women across India.
Ms. Asha Albert served as the Course Coordinator from CRWI, accompanying the participants throughout the five-day program to ensure smooth coordination and provide on-site support at the venue. Her attentive presence and organizational efforts greatly contributed to the success of the training. Mr. Jomit Mathew efficiently managed the financial aspects of the program, ensuring transparency and timely execution of all related processes.
A Holistic Approach to Child Mental Health
Rooted in a developmental and ecosystem-based framework, the sessions explored how biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors influence a child’s growth. Through case studies and guided reflections, participants learned to distinguish supportive from harmful behaviors, identify early signs of distress, and develop empathy-driven responses to promote emotional wellbeing.
Learning Through Experience
Each day integrated interactive discussions, group activities, and role-plays to bridge theory with practical experience. The sisters engaged with the Bio-Psycho-Social Ecosystem Model, practiced basic counseling techniques, and explored real-life scenarios to strengthen their confidence in responding to children with sensitivity and composure.
Ethics and Relationship Building
A major focus of the program was on ethics, confidentiality, and trust—the foundations of responsible caregiving. Participants reflected deeply on professional boundaries, respect, and the dignity of every child, gaining a clearer understanding of their role as compassionate and trustworthy mentors.
Guiding Adolescents with Care
Sessions on anger management, goal setting, and coping strategies addressed the emotional and mental health challenges faced by adolescents. Sisters learned to accompany young people with patience and authenticity, fostering resilience, hope, and emotional stability in their educational environments.
Responding to Crisis
Training modules on crisis intervention and safety planning equipped participants to identify warning signs of suicide risk, assess situations effectively, and develop supportive, faith-rooted action plans grounded in empathy and care.
Introducing the Grievance Redressal Cell
Mr. Abey Jose from CRWI facilitated a session introducing the Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC)—an initiative aimed at ensuring safe and just institutional spaces. Participants received brochures and were encouraged to utilize the GRC as a supportive channel for promoting accountability and trust within their ministries.
Reflections from the Heart
For many participants, “Guardians of the Mind” was not just a training—it was a journey of transformation. Sisters expressed how the experience deepened their understanding of child and adolescent wellbeing while renewing their sense of purpose as educators and caregivers.
Looking Ahead
This collaboration between CRWI and Christ University marks an important step toward building mentally and emotionally healthy learning environments for children and youth. By empowering sisters with both knowledge and compassion, Guardians of the Mind strengthens the foundation for safer, more nurturing schools where every child can grow, learn, and flourish.
As CRWI continues this transformative mission, we remain committed to turning awareness into action—fostering child protection, mental health, and holistic development, one sister and one child at a time.