UGC Proposes Mandatory Mental Health Support in Colleges
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has unveiled a draft policy mandating a fixed counsellor-to-student ratio and dedicated mental health centres in all colleges and universities across India.
Key Takeaways
- One counsellor for every 500 students proposed as a national standard.
- Every higher education institution must establish a mental health centre with qualified staff.
- New guidelines aim to provide equitable support for socio-economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs).
- Stakeholder feedback open until February 15.
Specific Recommendations for Colleges
The draft, titled ‘Guidelines for Equitable Opportunity to the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) in HEIs’, sets clear benchmarks. Every Higher Education Institution (HEI) must have at least one professionally qualified counsellor for every 500 students.
Furthermore, each institution is required to establish a fully functional mental health centre. These centres must be equipped with adequate infrastructure and resources to provide effective counselling services.
Beyond Counselling: Workshops and Grievance Redressal
The UGC’s vision extends beyond one-on-one counselling. The guidelines recommend that colleges organise regular workshops and seminars on mental health and well-being for the entire campus community—students, faculty, and staff.
A critical component is the establishment of a robust grievance redressal mechanism specifically to address complaints from students belonging to SEDGs. The UGC committee has also advised HEIs to form a dedicated cell to handle issues faced by these students.
Background and Next Steps
These proposals were prepared by a special committee formed by the UGC to devise measures for ensuring equitable opportunities in higher education. The draft guidelines are now open for feedback from all stakeholders until February 15, after which final regulations are expected to be notified.
