IIT Roorkee plans robust mental health framework for students and staff

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee is drafting a campus-wide mental health policy aimed at strengthening student well-being and institutional support systems.

The first draft has been prepared by the institute’s Wellness Centre, which offers psychological support to students, faculty, and staff.

The framework was developed in consultation with the Dean of Student Welfare, Associate Dean of Student Wellness, in-house clinical psychologists, external advisors, and faculty members to ensure a professionally guided and balanced approach.

The initiative gained momentum during “SAHYOG 2.0,” an inter-IIT dialogue focused on sharing best practices and institutional experiences related to mental health governance.

Discussions examined existing policies, operational protocols, and administrative systems across IITs, with an emphasis on integrating effective elements into a comprehensive and inclusive framework.

SAHYOG 2.0 follows the first edition held in 2024 and aligns with recent directives from the Supreme Court of India and the University Grants Commission, which have emphasized the need for structured mental health governance in higher education institutions.

Key deliberations addressed preventive and responsive support mechanisms, the role of wellness centers and counseling units, and the development of standard operating procedures for crisis response. Participants also explored the potential for standardizing mental health policies across IITs.

Delegates from all IITs, including deans, faculty members, and mental health professionals, attended the dialogue.

External experts from institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh, Government Medical College and Hospital Chandigarh, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry Kolkata, O P Jindal Global University, Mariwala Health Initiative, University of Delhi, and the Uttarakhand Police Special Investigation Force were also present.

A Supreme Court advocate and an anthropologist participated in the discussions.

IIT Roorkee Director Prof KK Pant said mental health and well-being have become critical pillars of excellence in higher education. Initiatives such as SAHYOG 2.0, he added, reflect a shared recognition of this responsibility among institutions.