The concluding event of the “Introducing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services in the Education System” Program was held at the Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) during which the main achievements and results of the Program were presented, and the current challenges of the sector and prospects for development were discussed.

Among the participants of the event were ASPU Acting Rector Lilit Mkrtchyan; Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia Araksia Svajyan; acting UNICEF Representative Silvia Mestroni; Director of the Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center Lilit Mnatsakanyan; representatives of state and international organizations and educational organizations, as well as sector-specific specialists.

Greeting the attendees, ASPU Acting Rector Lilit Mkrtchyan attached importance to the fact that the concluding event of the Program is being held at the Armenian State Pedagogical University, considering this a great responsibility and honor.

According to her, this initiative is of pivotal significance for Armenia’s education system, and the cooperation and support of the UNICEF and partnering organizations has special significance in the implementation of the Program. “As pedagogues and education organizers, we are well aware that no matter how much modern pedagogy is based on the values education, active dialogue and cooperative methods, it cannot be fully effective without ensuring the mental well-being of learners,” Lilit Mkrtchyan noted.

According to the Acting Rector, in the preparation of future teachers, teaching of school subjects and reforms of educational programs the University always attaches importance to the shaping of identity, cross-cultural communication, development of healthy relations and the establishment of a sustainable system of values. “I am certain that today’s discussions will convey a new impetus to the activities that are being carried out for mental health care and psychosocial support for children, fostering more effective cooperation and the creation of new initiatives for a healthy and bright future for our children,” Lilit Mkrtchyan emphasized.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia Araksia Svajyan noted that the event is important not only as a recap of the Program, but also as continuation of new initiatives to be carried out for mental health and psychosocial support in the system of education.

According to her, in the modern world, children face several challenges, and so, educational institutions play an important role in their mental well-being, social development and shaping their psychosocial endurance. “We are living in an era when children are facing several challenges. For this very reason, it is our primary objective to prepare them for those realities, develop their endurance and capabilities,” the Deputy Minister remarked.

Arakysa Svajyan also attached importance to the preventive role of psychological services within educational institutions. “Our objective is to organize psychological services in educational institutions in such a way that they are not limited to only supporting children who already have problems. These services must be preventive, including all children and prioritizing their psychosocial development and the shaping of endurance. These are the capabilities that are necessary for everyone today.”

Director of the Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center Lilit Mnatsakanyan and acting UNICEF Representative Silvia Mestroni also delivered their welcoming remarks. Mestroni expressed gratitude to all the partners of the Program, especially highlighting the role of the Armenian State Pedagogical University and noting that it serves as one of the platforms for major professional events and discussions in the education sector.

The event also featured a panel discussion entitled “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the Education System: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects for Development”; the pilot outcomes of the Program, the handbook “Promoting Children’s Mental Health and Increasing Psychosocial Endurance”, as well as the projects carried out by pupils which are devoted to inclusiveness, the development of emotional intelligence and the shaping of self-confidence, were presented.

At the end of the concluding event, letters of appreciation were granted to the Program’s ambassador schools and kindergartens.