NEW DELHI: The Centre is rolling out a comprehensive mental health and well-being programme for higher education institutions (HEIs) across India.
In a collaborative effort, over 200 institutions, including premier IITs, IIMs, NITs, and central and state universities, 350 students and faculty, are engaged in discussions to strengthen mental health support mechanisms.
Govt has outlined a four-pronged strategy that includes capacity building and model institution visits. A National Wellbeing Conclave underway at IIT Hyderabad will set a structured framework for psychosocial support among students in HEIs.
The programme’s holistic approach targets both immediate needs and preventive measures for long-term mental health improvement. It aims to help students in need while fostering an environment that encourages healthy behaviours and prevents the onset of mental health disorders.
For the first time, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman included mental health in the Economic Survey 2023-24, presented in Parliament on July 22, 2024. Acknowledging mental health as a key driver of national development, the Survey cited findings from National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, indicating that 10.6% of Indian adults suffer from mental disorders, with a significant treatment gap of 70-92%. Mental health challenges are particularly prevalent in urban metros, where 13.5% of the population is affected, compared to 6.9% in rural and 4.3% in urban non-metro areas. Additionally, an NCERT survey reported worsening mental health among adolescents, a trend exacerbated by Covid-19 pandemic.
In line with these findings, the Conclave on Sunday is bringing together educators, students, mental health experts, and policymakers. The event, themed “Integrated Approach for Promoting Mental Health, Resilience and Wellbeing,” aims to address the urgent need for mental health support in HEIs, deliberating on general mental health awareness to managing severe mental health conditions, helping institutions implement a structured, multi-tiered support system.
Guided by National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ministry of education has initiated a framework for HEIs focusing on physical and mental health. Ahead of the conclave, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan told TOI, “This framework encourages institutions to create environments conducive to students’ social, emotional, and academic growth. Several HEIs, including IIT Madras with its KUSHAL programme, have introduced wellness initiatives that include surveys, grievance redressal, counselling, and peer support networks. Other institutions, such as IIIT Allahabad, have incorporated AI-driven mental health monitoring, while others engage families to support students’ well-being.”