CHITHRA Don Bosco, Chitradurga, in collaboration with BREADS, Bengaluru, organized a two-day Art and Play Therapy Workshop on Mental Health for school children at CHITHRA Don Bosco.

The second day of the Art and Play Therapy Workshop was began with a recap of the first day’s sessions by Mr. Divakara V, MINDS Program Coordinator of CHITHRA Don Bosco. He summarized the key learnings from the previous day, including the importance of mental health, life skills, communication, and creative expression. He encouraged students to reflect on their experiences and share their insights.

Ms. Rakshitha K, MINDS Program Counselor of CHITHRA Don Bosco conducted the warm up activity, which helped energize the students, build comfort within the group, and prepare them mentally for the day’s sessions. The interactive exercises created a positive and open learning environment.

After a short tea break, Mrs. Anthony Teresa, Program & Communication Coordinator, FAMCO staff and District Level POSH Committee Membe took the session on “Mental Health – Art”. She explained how art can be used as a therapeutic tool to express emotions, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. Students were encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings through drawing and creative activities.
Then Mr. Shreyank, Counselor of Manasadhara NGO, Davanagere took the session on “Emotional Regulation and Identification”. He guided the students in identifying different emotions such as happiness, anger, fear, and sadness, and taught practical techniques to regulate emotions in a healthy way. Through interactive discussions and activities, students learned coping strategies such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, and seeking support when needed.

Following the lunch break, a team-building activity was conducted by Mr. Bhanu, Team Manager at Kishantha Ventures, Bengaluru. The activity focused on cooperation, leadership, communication, and trust-building. Students actively participated and learned the importance of teamwork and mutual respect.

Then MINDS team held the session included individual and group counseling sessions for all the children. The counseling provided a safe space for students to openly share their concerns, emotions, and personal challenges. The counselors offered guidance and reassurance, helping students feel supported and understood.

The workshop concluded with a feedback session conducted by the MINDS Team. Students shared their experiences, expressing that the workshop helped them understand their emotions better, build confidence, and learn new coping strategies. Many participants appreciated the creative and interactive approach of art and play therapy.