“Bullying rarely announces itself through loud signals; it often begins with quiet changes such as a child withdrawing from friends, hesitating to go to school, sleeping poorly, or suddenly losing confidence,” says Ganesh Kohli, Founder of IC3 Movement.

True growth happens when students are allowed to explore their own path, guided by the right support, writes Ganesh Kohli. Counselling is not just a service that schools offer; it is a core part of helping students navigate life’s challenges. Counselling should be embedded into the fabric of every institution, supporting students through academic and personal transitions

Drawing from insights highlighted in recent IC3 reports, including the IC3 Student Well-being Pulse Report 2025, a growing need for emotionally intelligent institutions, structured support systems, and leadership that prioritises well-being alongside academic outcomes is needed. It reinforces IC3’s longstanding advocacy for comprehensive counseling frameworks that make classrooms emotionally safe spaces for all students.

The IC3 Student Well-being Pulse Report reveals that nearly one in five students feels stressed about academic performance, and one in six worries about their future. These numbers reflect the weight of expectation. Many students work hard to meet standards set by others while carrying quiet self-doubt. Almost half say they sometimes feel they are not good enough. As per the report, among girls, the sense of comparison and inadequacy is even stronger. The result is a generation striving to do everything right, yet unsure of their own voice. Schools, therefore, cannot simply reward discipline and achievement: they must also nurture openness, empathy, and critical thinking, primarily the qualities that help children grow as individuals, not just as students.