Literature as an Educational Tool for Promoting Mental Health Awareness among Rural Government School Students in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Mental health education has become an important concern in contemporary schooling, especially in rural contexts where students often lack proper emotional guidance and structured support systems. for promoting mental health awareness among rural school students. The study aims to analyse how literary texts can contribute to emotional understanding, empathy, and behavioural development within classroom settings. The research adopts a qualitative and observational methodology, based on classroom experiences during B.Ed. training in rural government schools in Tamil Nadu, along with conceptual insights drawn from philosophical and psychological perspectives. The findings suggest that literature-based teaching methods, when supported by interactive approaches such as storytelling, role play, and multimedia integration, can significantly improve students’ emotional awareness, classroom engagement, behavioural responses, and education quality.  The study concludes that literature, when used effectively, can go beyond academic instruction and serve as a meaningful tool and learning opportunity for mental health education, helping students develop emotional stability and responsible behaviour..