Bhopal, April 17 (NationPress) In a significant move to tackle escalating mental health issues among students, the Higher Education Department of Madhya Pradesh has released comprehensive guidelines as of Friday, mandating counselling services, organized mentorship, and institutional awareness initiatives across various colleges and universities.

The department stated, “These directives are in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling and aim to facilitate the early detection of stress, anxiety, and behavioral challenges among students.”

According to the newly established regulations, all educational institutions with a student body of 100 or more are required to appoint at least one qualified counsellor. For colleges with smaller enrolments, access to counselling services must be ensured through external professionals who are empanelled.

Eligible individuals for these counselling positions include those with postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, certified psychologists, social workers, and other seasoned professionals from relevant fields.

The department highlighted that mental health assistance should extend beyond just counsellors. Raising institutional awareness has been emphasized as a vital component of the policy. Special training programs will be organized for both teaching and non-teaching staff, administrative officials, and security personnel.

These workshops will concentrate on mental health awareness, psychological first aid, recognizing warning signs in student behaviors, and facilitating timely referrals to specialists.

Parental involvement has also been integrated into this framework. Institutions are tasked with organizing regular awareness sessions for parents to aid families in identifying early signs of emotional distress and providing prompt support at home.

A mandatory structured mentor-mentee or guardian-tutor system has also been introduced. Each group of 25 to 40 students will have one faculty member designated as their mentor.

The mentor's role will involve monitoring attendance, academic performance, and conduct, as well as identifying students encountering challenges. They will offer guidance on academic, personal, and career matters while maintaining consistent communication with parents.

Additionally, mentors are encouraged to promote participation in co-curricular activities and assist students in preparing for competitive examinations. Keeping student records and maintaining counselling registers will be compulsory to ensure effective tracking and accountability.

To enhance accessibility, institutions have been instructed to visibly display mental health helpline numbers throughout their campuses, including via wall paintings in prominent areas.

Usha Nair, Officer on Special Duty in the Higher Education Department, stated that this initiative underscores the government’s dedication to student well-being.

She elaborated that a collaborative approach involving counsellors, trained staff, mentors, and parents will foster a safe and responsive environment within educational institutions. The department has mandated that all institutions prioritize the implementation of these guidelines and submit compliance reports in the specified format.

Ongoing monitoring will be conducted, and necessary support will be provided to ensure effective execution.