Patna University Prioritises Mental Health in Online Teacher Training

Disclaimer: The following article may contain words and themes that are emotionally sensitive and can be triggering. Please read with caution. This material is for educational and awareness purposes only. 

Mental Health in Higher Education gets a spotlight in Patna University’s Online Teacher Training Program this September. The Teacher Training on Mental Health and Life Skills will cover Counselling and Emotional Development among other important themes.  It has already received over 100 registrations, highlighting an interest in staff participation to tackle mental health in higher education.

The UGC Malviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) at Patna University will collaborate with the Psychology Department of Magadh Mahila College to organise the online program from 07-09-2026 to  12.09.2026. Teachers will be trained on personal development, constitutional values and human rights, among other important themes. This is an encouraging move for India where mental health and psychology-related subjects have always been sidelined. Resource people from India and abroad will mark this occasion with their specialised knowledge on this topic, according to the Times of India. 

Why Mental Health Awareness in Higher Education Matters

This is an important transitional time for many youth who leave their homes and safety nets for a new environment. The experiences they face during these years of higher education will have long-lasting impacts on their holistic health. There have been a host of mental health-related issues in higher educational institutions across India, especially, but not limited to, a rise in student suicides, depression, anxiety and stress-related panic and sleep disorders. The Supreme Court this year launched a binding set of guidelines to be followed by all Higher Education Institutes. However, implementation is a joint effort and will require awareness and preparedness in staff and officials for effective results.

Numbers speak Actual Facts

• According to UNICEF India, 10.6% of the Indian population experiences some form of a mental health challenge
• Youth from 17-29 experience some form of mental morbidity
• NCERT Survey 2022 reported anxiety, mood swings and extreme emotions in a vast majority of the student population

Effects on Students in Higher Education

India also faces a shortage of psychological professionals against the backdrop of rising cases related to mental health and youth challenges in higher education. Teacher Training and basic knowledge of mental health awareness can holistically improve and help students cope with growing challenges. These challenges push them towards anxiety, depression, panic disorders, etc. A community and peer-led approach has been reported to reduce stigma around mental health and encourage people to seek help without shame.

According to a Mental Health survey conducted across Tier-1 cities last year, female students showed higher levels of distress than males. Depression was detected in students under Central Universities, while students from government art and science colleges reported lower life satisfaction. The survey highlighted that a majority of the 1,628 students interviewed had anxiety (69.9%), depression (59.9%), loss of behavioural or emotional control (65.1%) and distress (70.3%). This is a problem that requires well-researched collaborations between different stakeholders across states and demographics. 

Positive Impact of Training Teachers

A trained educator can offset the problem right at the start with a sensitive and empathetic mindset towards students. Students will feel much more supported, heard and encouraged in the presence of an aware teacher than with somebody who is ignorant of the problem. It will also avoid situations where students feel trapped, triggered or pushed to the brink and do not have basic access to mental health infrastructure. It will also help students:

• Seek help or discuss their issues
• Trust teachers and the educational framework
• Reduce chances of extreme solutions taken from helplessness
• Create hope among those who cannot access therapists or mental health professionals due to societal and/or financial strains

In a country where a majority of the population falls below 30 years of age, the Patna University Online Teacher Training Program is an encouraging step for other higher educational institutes. These institutes have shied away from talking about Mental Health, let alone addressing it. In India, a teacher is considered second to God and parents. This thoughtful initiative by Patna University shows positive growth among teachers and educational institutes. It reflects their efforts to understand and help their students well beyond the classroom. It is a beacon of light for the many students and parents who have nothing but hopes for a better future through higher education.