The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) will launch the CISCE Student Mental Health and Well-Being Conclave 2026, a three-tier national initiative involving nearly 16 lakh students from Classes VI to XII, 32,000 teachers and more than 3,300 CISCE-affiliated schools.Coinciding with World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, the programme will create a route for student experiences and concerns to move from classrooms to regional discussions and then a national forum. The CISCE National Student Mental Health Conclave 2026 will be held from November 20 to 22, 2026, at the CISCE Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad.School dialogues to begin in OctoberThe first tier, School-Level Mental Health and Well-Being Dialogues, will run from October 4 to 31, 2026, across CISCE-affiliated schools. Students in Classes VI to XII will take part in classroom discussions on Student Stress and Academic Pressures; Emotional Well-being, Digital Life and Positive Relationships; Drugs, Substance Abuse and Healthy Choices; and Building Resilience and Help-Seeking Behaviour.The discussions will create a repository of student perspectives and experiences, while encouraging schools to strengthen listening, empathy, peer support and pathways to appropriate help.Regional conclaves across 18 regionsThe second tier will comprise Regional Student Mental Health and Well-Being Conclaves, conducted virtually across 18 regions from November 4 to 14, 2026. Selected student representatives and teacher mentors will examine school-level perspectives. Student representatives and teacher mentors for the national conclave will be identified through a fair and merit-based selection process.National conclave to frame outcomesThe national conclave will bring together 72 students representing the 18 regions, 18 teacher mentors, mental health and policy experts, CISCE leadership, partnering agencies and media representatives.A key outcome will be the CISCE Student Mental Health Charter, setting out principles, rights, responsibilities and recommendations for emotionally safe and supportive schools. The initiative will also work towards a Student Well-being Index, a repository of exemplary practices and a White Paper on Emerging Mental Health Concerns among Adolescents.CISCE Chief Executive and Secretary Dr. Joseph Emmanuel said the initiative would seek to listen systematically to students and translate their experiences into practical recommendations, stronger school practices and a framework for student well-being.The Council may institutionalise the conclave as a biennial initiative coinciding with World Mental Health Day.