Karnataka orders mandatory mental health framework in all educational institutions

Supreme Court’s 15-point mental health guidelines to be enforced across schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres within six months or before the next academic year.

The Karnataka government has issued a comprehensive circular directing all schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres across the state to strictly implement the Supreme Court’s uniform mental health guidelines for educational institutions.

According to the directive, all institutions must adopt the guidelines within the next six months or before the start of the upcoming academic year, whichever is earlier. The move follows growing concerns over student mental health and a series of suicide cases reported from educational campuses across the country.

In July, the Supreme Court laid down a detailed 15-point framework applicable nationwide. As per these norms, every institution with 100 or more enrolled students is required to appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker trained in child and adolescent mental health. Institutions must also maintain a counsellor-to-student ratio of one professional for every 1,500 to 2,000 students and build formal referral links with public healthcare facilities.

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The guidelines also stress the role of faculty in student wellbeing. Educational institutions have been asked to assign faculty mentors to smaller student groups, especially during examination periods and academic transitions. These mentors are expected to offer regular, informal and confidential support.

To reduce academic pressure, institutions have been advised not to segregate students based on academic performance, avoid public shaming, and refrain from imposing unrealistic academic targets, practices often associated with entrance exam-oriented centres.

Safety measures form a key component of the framework. Schools and colleges, including residential campuses, must install tamper-proof ceiling fans and other safety devices. Access to high-risk areas such as rooftops, balconies and unsafe materials must be restricted to prevent impulsive self-harm.

Institutions are also mandated to create written protocols for handling students facing severe distress or suicidal crises. Suicide prevention helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS and other national services, must be prominently displayed in classrooms, hostels and common areas.

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All teaching and non-teaching staff will have to attend mandatory orientation programmes at least twice a year. These sessions, conducted by certified mental health professionals, will focus on psychological first aid, identifying warning signs, responding to self-harm and managing suicide risks.

Additionally, the government has reiterated the need for functional anti-ragging cells, internal complaints committees for sexual harassment, and student grievance redressal mechanisms. Every institution must also form a Student Wellbeing Team (SWT) comprising counsellors, trained faculty members, students and parents to promote mental health awareness.

The guidelines further underline the importance of extracurricular activities, directing institutions to use scheduled physical education periods strictly for sports and fitness, ensuring holistic development and stress reduction among students.

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