Supreme Court Issues National Guidelines to Tackle Student Suicides

The Indian Supreme Court has issued pan-India guidelines to address rising student suicides and mental health issues in educational institutions. The directives emphasize the installation of mental health policies, engagement of counselors, and enhanced safety measures to prevent self-harm, applicable to schools, colleges, and coaching centers.

In response to rising student suicides and mental health crises, the Supreme Court of India has instituted comprehensive guidelines across educational sectors nationwide. The court acknowledged a lack of cohesive legislative and regulatory measures, thus enforcing a framework to prevent such tragedies.

The measures include a uniform mental health policy for institutions, mandating the availability of counselors and mental health professionals. Additionally, residential campuses must implement safety measures, such as tamper-proof ceiling fans, to avert impulsive self-harm incidents. Institutions are now tasked with fostering environments free from academic pressure and harassment.

Underlining the urgency, the court instructed the notification of new rules by states and a compliance report from the Centre within months. In a related case, the investigation into a student's death in Andhra Pradesh was transferred to the CBI, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to actionable oversight.

(With inputs from agencies.)