Derick H. Lindquist

— (Dr. Derick H. Lindquist is Founding Dean of the Jindal School of Psychology & Counselling at O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana)

Last year, the Supreme Court affirmed that mental health support and care is not a discretionary measure, but an indispensable obligation of all higher education institutions

Higher education is a global industry, measured by enrolment, revenue, academic outcomes, placements, rankings, and other objective markers. Notably absent from this list is the psychological well-being of students. Within India’s higher education institutions (HEIs), there is a conspicuous disconnect between institutional success and student mental health.

Last year, the Supreme Court affirmed the responsibility of HEIs to provide counselling services to students. Arising from cases involving student suicides and institutional accountability, the decree represents a decisive shift in how the mental welfare of students is managed. Mental health support, the court clearly asserted, is not a discretionary measure, but an indispensable obligation of all HEIs.

To be sure, the contemporary culture surrounding Indian higher education is intensely competitive and results oriented. Demanding entrance examinations, competition for limited capacity, relentless evaluation and huge family expectations can generate high levels of psychological pressure. In this environment, emotional distress is often viewed as a collegiate rite of passage, signifying resolve and resilience on part of the student, rather than a cause for concern. Such normalisation may discourage students from seeking help, attributing their poor mental condition to intrinsic — rather than institutional — inadequacies.

Today’s students must navigate challenges that simply did not exist 20 years ago. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up fully immersed in digital technology. Online connectivity yields access to abundant educational resources and information — far beyond any prior generation. Unfortunately, social media platforms have also intensified social comparison, isolation, cyberbullying, performance pressure, and worse. As a result, the boundary between academic achievement and personal identity can become blurred, simultaneously magnifying success and failure. Taken together, struggles with mental well-being have become an all-too-common feature of campus life in India’s institutions of higher education.

Unsurprisingly, indicators of student mental distress are rising worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates that one in seven young people is grappling with a mental disorder. Data from India mirrors, and in some cases exceeds, this global average. A 2024 survey by the Indian Psychiatric Society found that an estimated 40 percent of adolescents identify stress and anxiety as primary health concerns. A more recent 2025 study indicates that almost 70 percent of Indian students report moderate to high levels of anxiety, and almost 60 percent exhibit symptoms of depression. This and similar data suggest a ballooning public mental health challenge in campuses nationwide.

In January this year, the University Grants Commission released draft guidelines for a Uniform Policy on Mental Health & Well-Being, mandating all HEIs to establish mental health and wellness centres staffed with trained counsellors or psychologists. While this initiative is commendable, based on past experience implementation of the policy is certain to be slow and uneven. Many colleges fail to provide qualified mental health professionals, while others are poorly funded and understaffed.

While recognition of the growing mental health crisis is driving meaningful shifts in policy, the perception of mental health on college campuses will not be transformed by government mandates alone. Stigma remains a powerful deterrent for young people seeking professional help, even among those who publicly endorse mental health awareness. Shame, fear of judgement, social ostracism, and academic repercussions can all persuade struggling students to delay or avoid professional help.

A study commissioned by Deloitte, the global professional services network, estimates that psychological ailments currently cost Indian employers over Rs.1 lakh crore (US$ 14 billion) annually due to lost productivity, absenteeism, and attrition. Inasmuch, preventive counselling for students represents not just humane policy, but an economic necessity.

If the Supreme Court’s directive is to have real impact, HEI managements must move beyond compliance checklists and introduce genuine reform. They must provide sufficient staffing — at least one counsellor for every 500-1,000 students — stable funding, and clear accountability mechanisms. Psychological first aid should be incorporated into the curriculum of all HEIs, including instruction in emotional intelligence, stress management, digital coping skills, and related coursework. Ultimately, the mental well‑being of every institute’s students must be tracked and publicly shared and addressed as a marker of institutional quality, alongside such metrics as research productivity and graduation rates.

Higher education authorities can no longer view student access to mental health services as peripheral, set aside until the next crisis arises. Monitoring and supporting students’ mental well-being is a national imperative — essential for safeguarding India’s educational integrity and economic future.