Supreme Court forms national task force to address mental health issues of students ***

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Extracts from Supreme Court Order:

In light of the concerns expressed above, a National Task Force to address the mental health concerns of students and prevent the commission of suicides in Higher Educational Institutions is being constituted and shall comprise of the following members: 

i. Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as the Chairperson; 

ii. Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, New Delhi; 

iii. Prof. Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi; 

iv. Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People; 

v. Prof. Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust; 

vi. Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi; 

vii. Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS; 

viii. Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi; 

ix. Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi; 

x. Ms. Aparna Bhat, Senior Advocate (as amicus curiae).

The following shall be the ex-officio members of this Task Force: 

i. Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India;

ii. Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; 

iii. Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; 

iv. Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. 

Mandate of Taskforce: 

i. Identification of the predominant causes which lead to commission of suicides by students: An examination of the various causes which lead to student suicides in Higher Educational Institutions, including but not limited to ragging, caste-based discrimination, gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, academic pressure, financial burden, mental health related stigma, discrimination based on ethnicity, tribal identity, disability, sexual orientation, political views, religious belief or any other grounds. 

ii. Analysis of Existing Regulations: A thorough assessment of the effectiveness of current laws, support for students facing academic challenges, financial support to students in need of funds, etc. This analysis will evaluate whether these frameworks adequately address the challenges faced by students. 

iii. Recommendations for Strengthening Protections: Proposing necessary reforms to the existing legal and institutional frameworks to ensure stronger enforcement, accountability, and preventive measures. The Task Force shall also put forth recommendations to address existing gaps, create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment, and ensure equal opportunities for members of marginalized communities. policies, and institutional frameworks applicable to Higher Educational Institutions concerning ragging, caste-based and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, mental health support, 

In the process of preparing its report, the Task Force shall have the authority to conduct surprise inspections of any Higher Educational Institution. Additionally, the Task Force shall be at liberty to make further recommendations beyond the specified mandate, wherever necessary, to ensure a holistic and effective approach towards addressing mental-health concerns of students and eliminating the incidence of suicides in Higher Educational Institutions. The Task Force is requested to take into account the views and concerns of all stakeholders, including those of student unions, whether elected or nominated and other student representative bodies, wherever they exist. The Task Force is also requested to seek representation from and consult the governments of all the States and Union Territories. The Task Force may also consider obtaining the views of the different stakeholders by way of circulating a questionnaire and seeking written responses thereupon. 

It is clarified that the term “Higher Educational Institution” is used broadly to cover all higher educational institutions, including government and private universities, deemed to be universities, government and private colleges, etc. 

The Task Force is requested to present an interim report within four months from the date of this order.

Reasons for Mental stress:

The relentless pressure to perform in a purely score-based education system, coupled with the extreme competition for limited seats in premier educational institutions, places a terrifying burden on the students’ mental health. The inordinate burden on students to work on multiple projects simultaneously exacerbates academic pressure. Several students who come from competitive coaching centres bring pre-existing mental health issues, which get further heightened when they enter Higher Educational Institutions. Although it is difficult to eradicate this distress yet it can be managed by introducing flexible curricula, continuous assessment methods, structured support for managing backlogs and on campus support for psychological issues faced by the students.

AMIT KUMAR & ORS Vs. UNION OF INDIA & ORS 

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