Mohali, May 30 -- In a collaborative effort to address the issue of students' mental well-being, an event titled 'Ruba-Ru' was organised at Hindustan Times office in Mohali on Thursday. Around 20 principals from tricity schools held discussions on 'Mental health in schools: The role and contribution of parents'. The session was moderated by Dr Shriya Miglani, a psychologist at Max Hospital, and witnessed engagement from education leaders from across the region. The session highlighted increasing mental health concerns among school students due to a combination of several factors, including social isolation, nuclear family structures, reduced communication, and rising academic pressure. The speakers collectively focused on the importance of building collaborative mechanisms between schools and parents to address these concerns effectively. Dr Miglani shared that schools serve as the first structured environment for a child and, therefore, must lead early interventions. She pointed out that many parents are unable to observe behavioural shifts in children due to their demanding work schedules, resulting in limited interactions, which often leads to a delayed identification of neurodiverse conditions. Participants raised concerns about bullying, fear of judgement, and rising expectations contributing to stress and anxiety among students. The discussion also focused on the gap visible in parenting practices today, with several principals recommending a routine conduct of parent sensitisation and awareness programmes. Dr Miglani said, "Three core approaches for parental involvement in looking after students' mental well-being include teaching children coping mechanisms, helping them manage stress through structured routines, and building resilience." She added that a reward system helps children understand the value of their progress and learning. "We believe fostering students' mental health begins at home. This session brought educators together to spark a change as strong partnerships build stronger and healthier futures for children," concluded HT Media Ltd business head Chhatra Chhetri....