Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a “Student Mental Health and Well-being Policy” across all higher education institutions, marking a decisive step toward treating student mental health as a public health priority.
The policy mandates universities, colleges, coaching centres, and hostels to establish Mental Health Support Cells, provide confidential counselling, and set up referral systems for specialist care. Faculty and staff will also be trained to identify students in distress, aiming to create safer and more supportive academic environments.
Supreme Court & UGC Framework
The initiative aligns with Supreme Court directives issued in July 2025, which recognized mental healthcare as a fundamental right and ordered reforms to reduce campus stress. The Court’s 15-point guidelines called for nurturing, low-pressure learning spaces to prevent suicides.
Following this, the University Grants Commission (UGC) formed an expert committee led by Dr Rajinder K Dhamija of IHBAS, Delhi. The committee’s draft guidelines, released for public consultation in January 2026, require institutions to appoint counsellors — one per 100 students in smaller campuses and one per 500 in larger ones — and establish Student Service Centres (SSCs) for regular screening and early intervention.
Rising Crisis
The policy comes amid growing concerns over student suicides in education hubs like Kota, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Delhi, where intense exam competition and career uncertainty have triggered widespread burnout. Round-the-clock helplines and peer-support networks will also be introduced to provide immediate assistance.
Expert Concerns
Despite the ambitious framework, experts warn of implementation challenges. Dr Ashutosh Srivastava, Chief Psychologist at Aha Therapy, noted the absence of nationwide data on student suicides and questioned the readiness of institutions. “Most institutes are unprepared. Addressing this requires standard operating procedures and regular well-being audits,” he told University World News, adding that many third-party providers lack holistic capabilities.
Bottom Line
The UP government’s policy signals a paradigm shift in higher education — from high-pressure academics to structured mental health support. Its success, however, will depend on whether institutions can move beyond intent to effective action.