The University Grants Commission, in response to an order by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, has come up with a uniform set of guidelines for Mental health and Wellbeing in higher educational institutes in India. Prepared pursuant to the Court’s directions in Sukdeb Saha versus State of Andhra Pradesh (2025), and drawing on the UMMEED principles, the Manodarpan initiative and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, the UGC has asked Higher Educational Institutess to establish dedicated centres for Mental Health, which shall have dedicated Mental Health Professionals. They would also collaborate with the nearest government hospital/ district mental health programme facility to bridge the gap in accessing professional care.
But why was this necessary?
Well, the guidelines can be seen as a step towards acknowledging mental health conditions and therefore provide holistic, evidence based treatment for the same. Recent reports of suicides in college campuses have demanded the critical attention it needs from the public at large, pointing towards the high prevalence of menthal health disorders in the country.
Approximately 1 in 10 people (10.6% of the population) suffer from mental health conditions, with 7.3% of youth aged between 18-29 years suffering from severe psychiatric conditions The Indian crude suicide rate for ages 15-29 years is reported to be 15.72 per 100,000 population. According to National Crime Records Bureau, 7.6% deaths by suicide are reported amongst student population. The guidelines are a way forward in addressing these alarming trends in our colleges.
What does the guideline ask colleges to do?
As per the new guidelines, colleges are required to establish a separate Mental Health and Well Being Centre. These centres shall have mental health professionals in the form of Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists/Counselors or Psychiatric Social Workers to provide assistance to the students. Any institute with over a 100 students is now required to have a MHP on panel. Further, a ratio of 1 MHP per 500 students is suggested. These MHPs shall play a crucial role in not only providing psychological support to those in need but also promote mental health through workshops and seminars for all the stakeholders, including students, teachers and administrative staff. At a time when mental health is still strangulated by the stigma surrounding it, creating awareness about it becomes one of the foundational blocks in creating a community free from the stereotypes regarding mental health. Afterall, mental health is not only a state of physical and mental but also social well being.
Good news for students of Psychology
Since the guidelines require one MHP per 500 students and given the enormous number of students enrolled in higher education across the country, it opens up a lot of doors for those training in Psychology. Post graduate degrees makes one eligible to become a counselor/psychologist, who can provide psychological support and individual as well as group counselling. M.Phil (now M.A Clinical Psychology) makes one a RCI accredited Clinical Psychology, who can provide psychotherapy and also conduct psychological assessments. The scope of work for scholars of Psychology has only increased. It’s a good time to be a psychologist after all.