In a landmark decision underscoring the alarming rise in student suicides across the country, the Supreme Court of India on Friday laid down comprehensive, pan-India guidelines aimed at bolstering mental health support systems in educational institutions.
This move follows a petition filed by a bereaved father seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the suspicious death of his 17-year-old daughter, a NEET aspirant in Andhra Pradesh.
The Division Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while addressing the urgent need for institutional intervention, recognised the growing mental health crisis among students and invoked Articles 32 and 141 of the Constitution to issue binding directions. These guidelines shall remain in force until appropriate legislation or statutory regulation is enacted by the competent authorities.
Key Guidelines Issued by the Supreme Court:
- Mandatory Mental Health Policy
All educational institutions must adopt and annually update a mental health policy in line with the UMMEED Draft Guidelines, MANODARPAN initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The policy should be accessible on websites and notice boards. - Appointment of Mental Health Professionals
Institutions with 100 or more students must engage a qualified counsellor, psychologist, or social worker. Smaller institutions must have formal tie-ups with external professionals. - Improved Student-Counsellor Ratio and Mentorship
Dedicated mentors or counsellors must be assigned to smaller student groups, especially during exams and academic transitions, to ensure continuous, confidential support. - Ban on Batch Segregation and Academic Shaming
Coaching centres and educational institutions must avoid batch segregation based on performance, public shaming, and unrealistic academic targets. - Emergency Protocols and Helpline Visibility
Institutions must establish written protocols for referral to hospitals and helplines. National suicide helplines like Tele-MANAS must be prominently displayed across campuses. - Mandatory Staff Training
Teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo biannual training by certified mental health professionals on psychological first aid and suicide prevention strategies. - Sensitivity Training for Inclusion
Staff must be trained to engage with students from marginalised groups — including SC/ST/OBC, EWS, LGBTQ+, disabled students, or those facing trauma — with sensitivity and inclusivity. - Zero Tolerance for Harassment
Institutions must establish mechanisms to prevent and address harassment, ragging, and bullying. Prompt action and psychosocial support for victims must be ensured. Failure to do so, especially if linked to suicide or self-harm, will attract institutional liability. - Parental Sensitisation and Student Orientation
Schools and colleges must regularly conduct mental health sensitisation sessions for parents. Orientation for students must include mental health literacy, life skills, and information about available support systems. - Annual Wellness Report Submission
Institutions must maintain anonymised records of wellness interventions and submit yearly reports to regulatory bodies such as CBSE, UGC, or AICTE. - Promotion of Extracurricular Activities
Schools must prioritise activities like sports and arts to ease academic stress and foster holistic development. Examination patterns should be periodically reviewed to reduce pressure. - Structured Career Counselling
Career counselling by qualified professionals must be provided to both students and parents to prevent unrealistic expectations and promote diverse career paths. - Safe Residential Environments
Hostel authorities must prevent harassment, substance abuse and ensure tamper-proof fans, restricted rooftop access, and safety infrastructure to deter impulsive self-harm. - Special Measures in Coaching Hubs
Cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi must implement additional mental health safeguards, including academic pressure regulation, career counselling, and psychological support mechanisms, under the supervision of district and educational authorities.
Legal and Constitutional Framework
The Court affirmed that mental health is a core part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. Referencing the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, especially Sections 18 and 115, the Court reiterated the right of all individuals — including students — to access mental health services and to be treated with dignity. Attempted suicide has been decriminalised, with emphasis now placed on care and rehabilitation.
International legal norms and obligations were also cited, placing a binding duty on states to prevent suicides as a matter of right to life and health.
Interim Yet Binding
These guidelines serve as a temporary but binding framework until formal laws are enacted. The Court made it clear that they do not override but complement the ongoing work of the National Task Force on Mental Health Concerns of Students, aiding its development of a broader, long-term framework.
#SupremeCourt #StudentMentalHealth #EducationReform #KotaSuicides #RightToLife #MentalHealthMatters #StudentSupport #NEETAspirants #SCJudgment #CoachingReforms #YouthWellbeing #Manodarpan #MentalHealthcareAct #JusticeForStudents