LUMS Calls for Trauma-Informed Approach to Improve Student Well-Being

LUMS Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE) joined forces with the Ali Institute of Education and the Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust (SNPET) to host a seminar titled "Recognizing and Supporting Students’ Mental Health: Trauma-informed Approaches as a Whole-School Framework." This seminar marked the conclusion of a year-long project aimed at implementing a comprehensive trauma-informed system within schools.

The gathering included educators, researchers, government officials, and school leaders who came together to explore how educational institutions can better identify and address the mental health requirements of their students. The panel consisted of Dr. Khurram Shahzad, CEO of Nawaz Sharif Center of Excellence Early Childhood Center; Ms. Sidra Jawwad, Head of Education at Cambridge Pakistan; Ms. Sara Faizan, Director at Ali Institute of Education; Ms. Beena Raza, Board Member at SNPET; and Ms. Fizza Suhail, a faculty member at SOE and trauma therapist.

Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dean of SOE, underscored the unseen challenges faced by many children, stating, "Students carry invisible scars which they bring into the classroom." Ms. Fizza Suhail, project lead at SOE, advocated for a trauma-informed framework that caters to every learner, highlighting the necessity of classrooms accommodating both regulated and overwhelmed students. She emphasized the framework's inclusivity, benefiting neurotypical, neurodivergent, disadvantaged, and differently-abled students alike.

Commenting on the SNPET's model, Ms. Beena Raza pushed for the adoption of similar practices across all schools, noting its potential for widespread implementation. The panel discussion underscored that "mental health is not the absence of mental illness; it means flourishing in school and beyond." They advocated for a shift from reactive to proactive strategies, emphasizing the critical role of teacher well-being alongside student well-being.

They also cautioned against the limited effectiveness of merely hiring counsellors, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes relationships within education.

The LUMS School of Education is not stopping at the seminar's success; it is launching its new BSc (Hons) in Educational Psychology this year. This program integrates psychology, education, and human development to prepare students to understand learners holistically and foster supportive educational environments.