News

VARTAH 4.0, the National School Counsellor’s Summit on Dealing with Bullying, was held at GD Goenka University as a significant platform for educators, counsellors, and mental health professionals. The summit focused on prevention, trauma-informed interventions, neurological and psychosocial perspectives, prosocial approaches, and parental support. Discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative interventions involving schools, parents, counsellors, and peers. Strategies such as peer mediation, Multi-Systemic Therapy, empathy-building, skill development, and inclusive school practices were emphasized. Trauma-informed therapy highlighted the need for safe environments, resilience-building, and early intervention. Speakers also discussed the role of the amygdala and individualized approaches to understanding bullying experiences. Art-based techniques, including role-play and music, were recognized as effective tools for emotional expression. The summit emphasized parental awareness, assertive communication, validation, and early identification of distress. Overall, VARTAH 4.0 reinforced the need for collective, empathetic, and proactive efforts to create safer, inclusive, and supportive school environments.