Government Organizations for Students’ Counselling in India

Over the years, rising mental health issues and emotional wellness among students in India have become a growing concern. That, together with the academic pressures, social media influences, family expectations, and competitive environment, made students more susceptible to mental health problems. In this regard, various organisations run by the Government of India are working to provide professional counselling and guidance to students at different levels. These settings hope to establish a system that allows students to talk about their emotional difficulties, academic stressors, and overall well-being.

Mentioned-below are the government organisations to consider for students’ counselling in India:

• Manodarpan Initiative by Ministry of Education

Manodarpan, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, was released in July 2020 in response to the pressing need for mental health services for the country’s students. Although the program began as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, it has continued to offer mental health services after the pandemic.

Manodarpan provides online counselling services, tele-counselling, and other forms of psychological maintenance for students, especially in times of crisis. The initiative promotes the participation of teachers, school authorities, and parents in the mental health awareness campaign. It will also include a wide range of resources such as webinars, self-help material, and training programs to equip educators and students to identify and aid mental health concerns.

Manodarpan is not only about direct counselling but also includes awareness and de-stigmatisation of mental health issues, encouraging the students to reach out for help when needed. This initiative is among India’s most extensive government-supported student mental health services.

• National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Having recognised that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) holds a significant influence over the strategies and implementation of educational practices in India, the need for discipleship in mental health became the call of the hour.

NCERT, through the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), also organises training programmes for teachers’ professional development, enabling them to identify the mental health challenges faced by students and facilitate their seeking appropriate interventions. NCERT also organises workshops, seminars, and awareness programs in schools that promote emotional and mental well-being.

Furthermore, the organisation has developed various materials and resources that educators can use to incorporate mental health education into their teaching practices, ensuring that mental health is not neglected in any Indian classroom. The division between NCERT and schools throughout the nation has really helped students become more cognizant of their psychological health requirements.

• Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Even the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), an umbrella education system for many schools in India, has been focusing on students’ mental health and well-being as the top priority. Realising that mental health plays a vital role in defining academic success and a child’s overall well-being, CBSE has included several counselling programmes in its schools’ infrastructure.

To address the above issue, CBSE has introduced the School Counselling and Guidance Manual, which facilitates the setting up of counselling centres. Individual counselling and career guidance are some of the services that these centres provide. Apart from this, CBSE also conducts training for school counsellors so that they can address the different mental health issues faced by students, such as stress, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, etc.

• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a very important body governed by the government to protect every child’s rights and well-being in the country. NCPCR has also taken several steps under its mandate in this direction to realise the rights of Children and students to access mental health.

The NCPCR has a critical role to play in monitoring child mental health within education systems. To combat these issues, the Commission collaborates with various partners, from schools and government agencies to child welfare organisations, to ensure students’ rights to emotional well-being are honoured.

• All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is one of India’s premier centres for medical research, education, clinical care, and, importantly, research in mental health and treatment. AIIMS also has its own psychiatrist department that deals with counselling and therapy for students facing mental health challenges.

AIIMS also runs mental health awareness programs for college campuses and students of institutes of higher education. The institute’s mental health professionals work with universities and other educational institutions to provide counselling services, mental health screenings and crisis management.

• State Governments and Local Actions

Apart from the national schemes, many state governments have also launched counselling and mental health programs for students. These are tailored programs that cater to the needs of students specific to those regions. For example:

• Madhya Pradesh: Students in government schools will now have counselling sessions. This programme trains teachers to be mental health first responders and gives schools access to professional counsellors who visit schools to conduct counselling sessions
• Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu has been running an extensive mental health support program for students through its Department of Education, which entails establishing counselling centres in schools and holding workshops for teachers to identify mental health issues in students.
• Kerala: Known for its progressive approach to matters such as mental health, Kerala has built a system in which school counsellors are trained and are part of the same schools to ensure that students get continuity in their mental health care.
• Uttar Pradesh: Initiatives for school counselling: Psychological counselling related to students from marginalised communities, free counselling in schools to various issues like stress, anxiety, and academic pressure.

• University Grants Commission (UGC)

The UGC (University Grants Commission) is essential for the mental health of higher education students. It directs universities to set up mental health counselling centres for distressed students. The centres are meant to assist students with academic pressure, career concerns , and other emotional challenges they might face on campus.

In addition, the UGC frequently hosts seminars and workshops regarding student well-being and recommends that universities prepare their employees to recognise signs of mental health disorders. Various universities that the UGC will supervise can now offer counselling and peer-support applications to promote a friendly and strong environment for students.

Conclusion

Students in India have been experiencing mental health issues at an alarming rate owing to mounting pressures of academics, social challenges and personal growth. To overcome these issues, many government organisations have initiated programs that aim to facilitate students nationwide through counselling, guidance, and psychological support.

Suppose the new method is successful and can be expanded to more schools through cooperation between governmental and non-governmental agencies. In that case, more high schools can help their students receive aid.