NEW DELHI: The Centre is launching an extensive mental health and well-being program for higher education institutions (HEIs) across India. In collaboration with over 200 institutions—including IITs, IIMs, NITs, and central and state universities—and involving 350 students and faculty members, the program seeks to bolster mental health support systems on campuses nationwide.
The government’s four-pronged strategy includes capacity building, model institution visits, and the establishment of a structured framework for psychosocial support. This initiative was highlighted at the ongoing National Wellbeing Conclave at IIT Hyderabad, which aims to address both immediate mental health needs and preventative measures for long-term student well-being.
For the first time, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman included mental health as a focus in the Economic Survey 2023-24, presented in Parliament on July 22, 2024. The survey underscored mental health’s role in national development, noting that 10.6% of Indian adults experience mental disorders, with a treatment gap of 70-92%. Mental health challenges are particularly pronounced in urban metros, where 13.5% of the population is affected, compared to 6.9% in rural areas and 4.3% in urban non-metro regions. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) also reported increased mental health issues among adolescents, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Conclave, themed “Integrated Approach for Promoting Mental Health, Resilience, and Wellbeing,” brings together educators, students, mental health experts, and policymakers. Discussions range from general mental health awareness to managing severe mental health conditions, helping institutions implement a structured, multi-tiered support system.
Guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Ministry of Education has developed a framework that emphasizes both physical and mental health in HEIs. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remarked, “This framework encourages institutions to create environments conducive to students’ social, emotional, and academic growth.” Many HEIs, such as IIT Madras with its KUSHAL program, have already introduced wellness initiatives, including surveys, grievance redressal mechanisms, counseling, and peer support networks. Additionally, institutions like IIIT Allahabad have implemented AI-driven mental health monitoring, while others actively engage families to support students’ well-being.
This program marks a critical step toward creating supportive, resilient campus communities across India’s educational landscape.
