The program’s main goal is to address the need of mental health support in these institutions and create an environment to encourage healthy behaviours. The program includes capacity building, model institution visits and a structured framework for psychological support.
The Indian union government is rolling out a comprehensive mental health and well being program for higher education institutions across India. For improvement of student’s mental health government outlined a four pronged strategy that includes capacity building and model institution visit. A National well being conclave underway at IIT Hyderabad will set a structured framework for psychological support among students in HEI’s. Its aim is to help students in need while fostering an environment that encourages healthy behaviour and prevents the onset of mental health disorders. The programme targets both immediate needs and preventive measures for long term mental health improvement.
For the first time in India history, that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman included mental health in the economic survey 2023-24, presented in parliament on July 22, 2024. The survey’s finding from National mental health survey (NMHS) 2015-2016, indicating that 10.6% of Indian adults suffer from mental disorders, with a significant treatment gap of 72-92%.
Mental health challenges are particularly prevalent in urban metros, where 13.5% of the population is affected, as compassion to 9.5% in a rural and 4.3% in urban non metros areas. Mental health among adolescents is worst as per the NCERT survey reports.
A conclave is held with a theme of ” Integrated approach for promoting mental health, resilience and wellbeing”, aims to address the urgent need for mental health support in higher education institutions.
Guided by National Education Policy 2020, the ministry of education has initiated a framework for higher education institutions focusing on physical and mental health. Before the conclave, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the Times of India, “This framework encourages institutions to create environments conducive to student’s social, emotional and academic growth”.