Pune: 8-Week Mental Health Program Transforms Lives of Juveniles
Pune, 7th April 2026: In a significant move toward rehabilitative justice, the Pune City Police, in collaboration with ‘TFC – The Full Circle,’ successfully concluded an eight-week structured psychological intervention program for juveniles in conflict with the law. The concluding ceremony and felicitation program were held at the Pune Police Commissionerate on Tuesday.
The initiative, which took place at the Lashkar Police Station, targeted minors involved in legal disputes. Moving away from traditional punitive measures, the program adopted a transformational approach. Trained psychologists from TFC focused on two critical components: Anger Management and Impulse Control.
During the sessions, juveniles were taught to:
Understand and process their emotions.
Identify personal behavioral triggers.
Develop thoughtful responses instead of impulsive reactions.
Engage in storytelling, role-play, group discussions, and art-based activities to foster a safe environment.
Deepakshi Khera, CEO of TFC – The Full Circle, noted that while establishing a rapport with the children was initially challenging due to their introverted and hesitant nature, there was a visible positive shift over time. “The children’s hesitation turned into active participation, and they began expressing their feelings and thoughts openly,” she stated.
The intervention led to significant improvements in emotional awareness. Parents reported seeing their children adopt the habit of “stopping and thinking” before acting. Many participants expressed a renewed desire to continue their education, pursue honest livelihoods, or start their own small businesses to live with dignity in society.
Commissioner of Police, Amitesh Kumar, interacted directly with the juveniles and their parents during the event. He emphasized that the role of the Pune Police extends beyond mere law enforcement; it includes a deep commitment to the rehabilitation and successful reintegration of youth into society.
The success of this pilot project at Lashkar Police Station is being viewed as a model for other law enforcement agencies across the country. TFC and Pune Police have expressed their determination to expand this program further, focusing on “life-rebuilding” for those who have made mistakes.
The event was attended by Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Rajlakshmi Shivankar, senior police officials, representatives from TFC – The Full Circle, and the participating juveniles and their families.
