TRST launches anti-addiction campaign ‘Saiyam’

Pune: Tarachand Ramnath Seva Trust (TRST) in collaboration with Jnana Prabodhini’s Institute of Psychology began an anti-addiction campaign called ‘Saiyam’ on September 1 in the city. 

This campaign will span over for three years and aim to reach out to 50,000 students in these years covering issues like substance abuse, screen addiction and sexually risky behaviour.

“There has been a significant increase in the addiction to substance abuse and screen usage among youths. ‘Saiyam’ is an initiative through which we are going to create awareness among the adolescents. We are focusing mostly on eight to ninth graders in the age group between 12 to 16, as it is the correct age to sensitise them,” said TRST Trustee Ratan Rathi.

“We aim to make Pune addiction-free and focus on reaching out to at least 50,000 students through this campaign. Once the students have been sensitised, the entire family becomes empowered,” added Rathi.

Jnana Prabhodhini Institute of Psychology has prepared a module and curriculum of the entire campaign and their volunteer group ‘Samvadini’ will be conducting the sessions. 

Associate Professor and Director of Jnana Prabodhini’s Institute of Psychology Anagha Lavalekar said, “We have been working in this field since 2001 and have designed a model on the basis of researches done in the past. We have a curriculum that covers the aspect of this campaign like substance abuse and sexually risky behaviours. This curriculum comprises the different types of addiction and ways to prevent them, which will be explained through activities.”

“Around 20-22 master trainers from our volunteering group will train the teachers of these schools, who will eventually guide the students. The master trainers will remain in touch with teachers for further guidance while they are training the students. One master trainer will conduct a session for 10 to 12 teachers and in the first year of this campaign, we aim to reach 240 teachers. There will be around 22-25 sessions for these teachers and the teachers who complete these sessions will also get certified from us,” said Shamangi Deshpande, a member of Samvadini and also the Chief Coordinator for Saiyam.

“This campaign was a research-oriented campaign, as we will be conducting pre and post-tests on the sample of students to check the effectiveness of the training,” added Lavalekar.