Gujarat makes mental health support mandatory in schools to prevent student suicides

The Gujarat government has introduced new regulations making mental health support mechanisms mandatory in secondary and higher secondary schools, including the appointment of qualified counsellors, formation of wellness teams and establishment of peer-support systems to address student stress and prevent suicides.

The provisions, introduced under the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Regulations, 1974, will apply to Classes 9 to 12 in schools affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), according to an official release issued on Sunday.

The government said the measures were aimed at giving students' psychological well-being the same importance as academic performance, particularly amid growing concerns over examination pressure, competition for marks, social media use, family expectations and uncertainty about future careers.

The regulations have been framed in accordance with Supreme Court directives on student mental health and suicide prevention. The state has also adopted the NCERT's UMMEED (Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathise, Empower and Develop) guidelines as a reference framework.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹

Under the new rules, every school offering Classes 9 to 12 must constitute a School Wellness Team (SWT) at the beginning of each academic year, with its functioning reviewed annually.

The principal will head the team, while a counsellor or designated teacher will serve as coordinator. Other members will include teachers from the secondary and higher secondary sections, a School Management Committee representative, a non-teaching staff member and two student peer leaders known as Mano-Mitra.

The teams will be trained to identify signs of emotional distress, provide initial assistance and respond to emergencies involving self-harm or suicide risks.

Schools with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker trained in child and adolescent mental health.

Institutions with fewer than 100 students must establish formal referral arrangements with external mental health professionals, nearby health centres, the District Mental Health Programme or Tele-MANAS services.

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

The Mano-Mitra initiative will involve selected students providing initial emotional support to classmates and directing those requiring assistance towards qualified professionals.

Schools must also provide additional mentoring and counselling during periods of heightened academic pressure, including board examinations, result announcements and transitions from Class 8 to 9 and Class 10 to 11.

In a significant move to discourage unhealthy competition, schools have been prohibited from segregating students based on examination results, publicly humiliating them over marks or making comparisons that could cause emotional distress.

Instead, institutions must promote an environment based on equality, dignity, encouragement and cooperation.

Schools will also be required to organise activities such as yoga, meditation, art, music, gardening, dance and sports to support students' emotional well-being.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The regulations mandate that teaching and non-teaching staff undergo training conducted by certified mental health professionals at least twice annually.

Schools must establish procedures for psychological first aid, identifying warning signs of distress, responding to self-harm and referring students to appropriate medical services.

Any indication of suicidal thoughts, self-harm or severe psychological distress must be addressed immediately. Students who attempt suicide or engage in self-harm must never be left alone, and schools must arrange appropriate medical or emergency assistance without delay.

Students must have access to confidential channels for discussing concerns with counsellors or designated teachers. Schools must also install suggestion boxes and prominently display child helpline numbers and School Wellness Team contact details.

Mental health information and counselling records must remain confidential, with access restricted to authorised individuals directly involved in a student's safety, treatment or welfare.

𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

The government has also directed schools to establish confidential grievance redressal mechanisms to address bullying, cyberbullying, ragging, sexual harassment and discrimination based on caste, gender, religion, language, socio-economic status or disability.

Under the regulations, failure to take timely and appropriate action despite being aware, or reasonably expected to be aware, of a serious risk may amount to institutional culpability if the failure is found to have significantly contributed to serious harm, self-harm or a student's suicide.

Such negligence may attract disciplinary or legal action under applicable laws.

The rules also provide for regular career guidance to help students explore educational, vocational, skill-based and entrepreneurship opportunities, reducing pressure associated with academic performance and career choices.

A district-level monitoring committee headed by the District Collector will oversee implementation, examine complaints and serious incidents, and recommend corrective measures.

The government said compliance with the committee's directives would be mandatory for all schools covered under the new regulations.