📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Chinchu.c
Education
World Mental Health Day: School Mental‑Health Policy Yet to Start
✍️ Amar Ujala
🗓 10 Oct 2026, 07:47 AM
👁 18
On World Mental Health Day, officials confirmed that work on a dedicated mental‑health policy for schools has not begun, sparking concern among educators.
World Mental Health Day was observed across India today, highlighting the need for robust mental‑health support in educational institutions. Despite the occasion, government sources said that the drafting of a dedicated policy for school mental health has not yet been initiated. The delay has drawn criticism from teachers' unions and mental‑health advocates, who argue that students are increasingly vulnerable and require structured guidance.
The Ministry of Education has previously indicated an intention to develop a framework that would integrate counseling services, teacher training, and crisis response mechanisms within schools. However, as of today, no formal committee has been constituted and no draft has been circulated for public comment. Stakeholders fear that the lack of a clear roadmap may impede timely interventions for children facing anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges.
The issue also intersects with broader concerns about higher‑education guidelines, as the University Grants Commission’s pending directives on mental‑health provisions remain stalled. While the UGC matter is separate, the combined delays underscore a systemic lag in addressing mental‑health needs across the education sector.
Education experts urge the government to fast‑track the policy formulation process, emphasizing that early preventive measures can reduce long‑term societal costs. They call for immediate stakeholder consultations and a transparent timeline to ensure that schools are equipped to support students' well‑being.
As World Mental Health Day draws attention to global challenges, the absence of concrete action on school mental‑health policy in India stands out as a critical gap that demands urgent attention.
The Ministry of Education has previously indicated an intention to develop a framework that would integrate counseling services, teacher training, and crisis response mechanisms within schools. However, as of today, no formal committee has been constituted and no draft has been circulated for public comment. Stakeholders fear that the lack of a clear roadmap may impede timely interventions for children facing anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges.
The issue also intersects with broader concerns about higher‑education guidelines, as the University Grants Commission’s pending directives on mental‑health provisions remain stalled. While the UGC matter is separate, the combined delays underscore a systemic lag in addressing mental‑health needs across the education sector.
Education experts urge the government to fast‑track the policy formulation process, emphasizing that early preventive measures can reduce long‑term societal costs. They call for immediate stakeholder consultations and a transparent timeline to ensure that schools are equipped to support students' well‑being.
As World Mental Health Day draws attention to global challenges, the absence of concrete action on school mental‑health policy in India stands out as a critical gap that demands urgent attention.