Sparsham to focus on children’s mental health, behavioural change: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram A new initiative ‘Sparsham’ will be implemented to monitor children’s mental health, identify behavioural changes and prevent violence involving them, Minister for Women and Child Development Bindhu Krishna has said. Sparsham is being envisaged as a child well-being and violence prevention mission, she said. She was speaking at the State-level inauguration of Children’s Day celebrations on Saturday.

The Minister said the incidents of violence involving children in recent times should be viewed seriously. Sparsham would ensure their mental and emotional health to prevent such incidents. Early identification of violent tendencies in children and and providing them with counselling, care, and support for a safe childhood was the goal of Sparsham. Early identification, child mental health centres, parent empowerment programmes, interventions to resolve disputes in schools, and prevention of cyber bullying were the main components of the scheme, she said, calling on the public and voluntary organisations to support the government in implementing the initiative.

The Minister presented Ujjwala Balyam awards to 52 students from 14 districts. She also inaugurated ‘Toy to Joy’, a programme for encouraging children to share toys they have outgrown with children in anganwadis in the State. Rally held The Minister also accompanied children in a colourful rally organised by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare from University College to Kanakakkunnu Palace premises to mark Children’s Day.

Transport Minister C.P. John flagged off the rally, which showcases the State’s art forms, floats, band performances, and fancy dress. At the Nishagandhi auditorium where a public gathering was held, Ms. Bindhu Krishna assured the children that the State government would fully support their education, health, development, and rights. She urged them to stay away from the dangers posed by the Internet and substance abuse.

The gathering was led by children, with a children’s ‘prime minister’ Nafeesa Sanha T.S. inaugurating the event and children’s ‘president’ Adya Pramod presiding over. Prizes were given away to the winners of the Varnotsavam 2026 festival organised by the child welfare council. The Children’s Day stamp for 2026-27 was also released on the occasion.