UP State Government To Set Up Mental Health Support for Students, Support Cells to be Established
UP government to set up Mental Health Support systems and support cells at institution levels to help combat mental health issues among students and help those suffering.
The Uttar Pradesh State Government will launch a Student Mental Health and Well-Being Policy for all higher education institutions across the state. The programme is being introduced, aiming to create a safe, supportive and stress-free academic environment for students while addressing the concerns surrounding mental health among the youth.
As per media reports, the policy will ensure prompt assistance for students facing academic pressure, examination anxiety, career-related stress and other emotional challenges. The government is working to set up a coordinated mental health support system at the state, district and institutional levels to make counselling services accessible.
Under the policy, the higher education director will operate as the nodal and executive authority at the state level, while a committee chaired by the principal secretary, Higher Education, will oversee rollout, budget allocation and periodic review.
The district-level committee under the leadership of district magistrates will supervise and coordinate related activities in universities and colleges. A Mental Health Support Cell will be established in each institution, which will offer counselling services to students by helping them connect with professionals as and when required. The government will also deploy an online mental health portal to provide initial assessment and support facilities.
As per reports, faculty, non-faculty staff and student representatives will also be offered training to recognise early indicators of stress and emotional distress among students.
Awareness campaigns, workshops, sports and cultural activities, career counselling programmes and positive mental health messaging will also be promoted in the programme.
Prioritising the mental health of students is of utmost priority in the current climate. Suicide rates among students are increasing at an alarming rate across the country. Recently, there were cases of suicide where students took their own lives over the cancelled NEET UG examination. Several schools and colleges are also seeing an increasing number of suicide cases, with reasons ranging from assault to abuse at the hands of friends or teachers. Young children committing suicide not only questions the system they are in but also the system where a distressed child is unable to communicate with parents, teachers or any elder who can help and guide them in the right direction.
Parents in today's age need to be more careful of the mental stress their children are under in terms of studies, jobs or even entrance exams. Preventing suicides among students is a major step towards a brighter future for the country.
Sherin is an education journalist with over 7 years of experience. Over her tenure of working with top media houses like Careers 360 and then Jagran Josh, Sherin has covered various entrance examinations liek JEE Main, NEET, CUET, GATE, etc. as well as various state board and CBSE results. Her understanding of the education ecosystem coupled with her own experience of teaching as an Assistant Professor of nearly 2 years helps her provide a comprehensive perspective to students. She has a Masters Degree in Communication from Madras Christian College. Apart from covering education news, Sherin also enjoys reading and cooking.
