Yogi government committed to

providing healthy, safe and stress-free educational environment to students

Lucknow, 07 Sept (HS): State Higher Education Minister Yogendra

Upadhyay held a high-level meeting at his residence in Lucknow on Monday

regarding a uniform student mental health and wellness policy for higher

education institutions. The meeting discussed in detail various aspects of the

proposed policy, its effective implementation, and a plan to provide mental

health and counseling facilities to students. Principal Secretary Higher

Education M.P. Agarwal, Special Secretary Nidhi Srivastava, and departmental

officials were present at the meeting.

The Yogi government is prioritizing

higher education, ensuring quality, modernity, and student-centeredness, while

also prioritizing student mental health. This initiative aims to provide

students with an educational environment where they can receive timely support

in case of academic pressure, stress, or emotional challenges.

Under the proposed policy, a

coordinated system will be developed at the state, district, and institutional

levels. At the state level, the Director of Higher Education will be the nodal

and implementing authority, while a steering committee chaired by the Principal

Secretary will oversee implementation, budgeting, and review. At the district

level, a committee chaired by the District Magistrate will coordinate with

universities and colleges.

A mental health support cell will

be established in each higher education institution, where students will

receive counseling in a confidential environment. Testing is also proposed

through an online mental health portal. Students will be connected to

counselors, psychologists, or specialist services if needed.

Teachers, non-teaching staff, and

student representatives will be trained to recognize signs of stress and

emotional distress and provide support. Trained teachers will conduct

small-group communication programs on mental health, stress management, and

life skills. Helplines and referral systems will be developed for immediate

assistance in cases of severe stress or emergencies, with student privacy and

dignity given top priority.

Under the policy, mental health

will be integrated into holistic personality development. A positive

environment will be created through awareness campaigns, workshops, sports and

cultural activities, career counseling, and social media. An integrated portal

and dashboard will be developed within the Higher Education Department for implementation

and monitoring.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi