Disclaimer: The following article may contain words and themes that are emotionally sensitive. This material is for awareness purposes only.
A mental well-being policy focused on school students and youth aged 25 years will soon be launched to create stigma-free emotional and psychological environments. The proposed policy will cover all CM SHRI schools, government and government-aided schools, private educational institutions, higher educational institutes and children with special needs. The policy will be launched on November 19th in the presence of spiritual leader Shri Shri Ravi Shankar.
Education Minister Ashish Sood also reviewed provisions for psychometric assessment of teaching and non-teaching staff and transport personnel who frequently interact with children. Handbooks have specially been created with emphasis on improving emotional awareness and encouraging responsible engagement with students. The policy will ensure a developmental model that extends beyond the classroom. It focuses on creating an environment where students feel heard and understood.
Mental Health Of Students in India
Research has shown that almost one fifth of children and adolescents experience some form of mental health concern like anxiety, bullying, stress, learning disability or alcohol and substance abuse. Several students do not receive the care required due to existing stigmas and or lack of mental health awareness. Studies have also shown that school life plays an important role in future success and confidence without which many students can struggle to meet their own criteria and potential.
Read More: Gujarat Government Upgrades Mental Healthcare In Schools
Current State of Mental Health In Indian Education
A recent survey by the Supreme Court of India found that several institutes of higher education failed to meet the emotional and psychological needs of students. A study found that 7.3% of children and adolescents in India live with mental health disorders. Anxiety and depression have been found to be the most common among them. There are several other challenges that exist in the current education framework of our country.
- High stress environments created by academic pressure, societal expectations and competitive exams
- Student suicides because of academic stress and exam failure
- Lack of mental health awareness including identification of suicide-risk students in schools
- Lack of mental health infrastructure in rural or government schools
Why Mental Health Awareness is Important in Education
Especially in schools where students come from troubled or economically deprived backgrounds, it becomes important to invest in tools and measures to protect mental health. In many government schools, punishment like beating students or public humiliation is still allowed. This can further trigger already distressed and sensitive students. Mental health awareness in such schools can help reduce the risk of such cases by providing students and teachers with basic yet powerful psychological skills.
Mental Health Literacy
These can be skills that allow them to recognize, identify and manage psychological distress in themselves or a peer. Several school-based programs have proved that mental health literacy helps reduce stigma and promotes help-seeking behaviour. The national Mental Health Survey of India also found that intervening early through school-based programs significantly reduces the long-term probability of mental health disorders.
Why Mental Health Guidelines Are Necessary
Recent surveys have exposed critical lapses in schools regarding mental health guidelines including provision of experts and counseling services in educational institutions. A lack of trained professionals, existing illiteracy and stigma, minimal accountability and lack of monitoring mechanisms have made educational institutes a punishing ground for students. The national guidelines by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as well as the Manodarpan initiative by the government of India aim to improve such crippling circumstances. Successful mental health interventions can transform the educational environment but requires dedicated and proactive participation and collaboration for effective results.
Read More: Teaching Empathy to Medical Professionals: A Prescription for Better Patient Care
What Educational Institutes Can Do
While efforts are being taken by individual states like Gujarat which has launched new guidelines to manage stress and student suicide in its schools, there needs to be a national participation in such efforts. Schools and colleges can follow simple steps to ensure that their students receive a less fearful and more empathetic environment.
- Switch from crisis response to preventive approach
- Curriculum should integrate life skills
- Use proven models by other states as an example
- Initiate peer support systems
- Promote use of digital mental health tools wisely
- Initiate integration of parent support and outreach
Conclusion
There have been efforts by many states to introduce more student-centric and emotionally enriching environments in schools. States like Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat have implemented policies and programs in schools and colleges to ensure that the UGC and Supreme Court guidelines are being implemented. However, the focus especially needs to be on government-aided and rural institutions where stigma, illiteracy and diverse negative socio-economic impacts lay a strong foundation for students. There needs to be nationwide implementatsion of mental health-friendly awareness initiatives that include efforts by institutes, officials,experts, parents and communities to provide a stable and safe environment for students.
References +
- CBSE https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/MENTAL_HEALTH_AND_WELLBEING.pdf (1.1.1-1.1.4)
- Mental Health First Aid India https://www.mhfaindia.com/blog/indian-schools-colleges-prioritize-student-mental-health-wellness
- PTI https://theprint.in/india/delhi-govt-to-launch-mental-well-being-policy-for-students-youth-up-to-29-years/3096337/?amp
- TNIE https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2026/Nov/12/delhi-to-launch-mental-wellbeing-policy-for-students-and-youth-up-to-25-on-november-19
