NEW DELHI: The Centre is rolling out a comprehensive mental health and well-being programme for higher education institutions (HEIs) across India. In a collaborative effort, over 200 institutions, including premier IITs, IIMs, NITs, and central and state universities, 350 students and faculty, are engaged in discussions to strengthen mental health support mechanisms. Govt has outlined a four-pronged strategy that includes capacity building and model institution visits.
A National Wellbeing Conclave underway at IIT Hyderabad will set a structured framework for psychosocial support among students in HEIs. The programme's holistic approach targets both immediate needs and preventive measures for long-term mental health improvement. It aims to help students in need while fostering an environment that encourages healthy behaviours and prevents the onset of mental health disorders.
For the first time, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman included mental health in the Economic Survey 2023-24, presented in Parliament on July 22, 2024. Acknowledging mental health as a key driver of national development, the Survey cited findings from National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, indicating that 10.6% of Indian adults suffer from mental disorders, with a significant treatment gap of 70-92%.
Mental health challenges are particularly prevalent in urban metros, where 13.5% of the population is affected, compared to 6.9% in rural and 4.
3% in urban non-metro areas. Additionally, an NCE.
