Govt Handles 19.90 Lakh Calls Under Tele Mental Health Programme, Steps Up Efforts to Curb Student Suicides

The Ministry of Education’s MANODARPAN initiative provides psychological support to students, teachers, and families for mental and emotional well-being.

The Government of India has outlined measures to tackle student suicides and rising stress levels, revealing that over 19.90 lakh calls have been handled under the National Tele Mental Health Programme, and 53 MANAS Cells have been established across 36 States/UTs. Responses in the Rajya Sabha highlighted the extent of student suicides, which accounted for 7.6% of total cases in 2022, and the initiatives aimed at improving mental well-being.

Student Suicides: Statistics and Causes

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles annual data on student suicides in its Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) reports. As per the ADSI 2022 report, student suicides accounted for 7.6% of total suicide cases, compared to 8.0% in 2021 and 8.2% in 2020. The leading causes include professional and career-related issues, isolation, abuse, violence, family problems, mental disorders, addiction, financial distress, and chronic illnesses.

Government Initiatives to Address Mental Health Concerns

MANODARPAN Initiative

The Ministry of Education’s MANODARPAN initiative provides psychological support to students, teachers, and families for mental and emotional well-being. It includes:

Counselling services

Awareness programs

Online and offline mental health support resources

National Tele Mental Health Programme

Launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Tele Mental Health Programme aims to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services. As of now:

36 States/UTs have established 53 Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (MANAS) Cells.

Over 19.90 lakh calls have been handled on the helpline.

UGC Guidelines on Student Well-Being

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued guidelines to address mental health issues in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs):

Promotion of physical fitness and sports

Safeguards against academic pressure, peer pressure, and behavioural issues

Encouragement of positive thinking and emotional resilience

Development of a supportive network for students

Framework for Emotional and Mental Well-Being

The Ministry of Education issued a broad framework on July 10, 2023, requesting HEIs to proactively incorporate mental health initiatives into their institutional functioning. Workshops on Mental Wellness & Stress Management have been conducted at:

IIT Madras

IIT Delhi

IIT Guwahati

IIT Gandhinagar

IIT Roorkee

Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP)

Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Department of Higher Education has initiated an integrated approach for promoting positive mental health under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP). The programme includes:

Online and in-person training sessions

Visits to institutions with innovative mental health practices

Annual National Well-being Conclaves

1,397 faculty from over 160 centrally funded HEIs have participated in 20 online sessions so far.

Regulation of Coaching Centers to Reduce Student Stress

The Ministry of Education has also issued Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centers to address concerns related to unregulated coaching institutes, which have been linked to undue academic stress and student suicides. Key provisions include:

Mental well-being support in coaching centers

Mandatory counsellors and psychologists

No batch segregation

Maintaining student records

The guidelines were circulated to States and Union Territories on January 16, 2024, followed by another letter on July 16, 2024, emphasizing their implementation.

Conclusion

While the government has initiated multiple interventions to curb student suicides and improve mental well-being, the challenge lies in their effective implementation across educational institutions. With over 19.90 lakh calls handled and 53 MANAS Cells set up, the focus now shifts to strengthening mental health awareness and intervention mechanisms to ensure students receive the support they need.

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