Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has taken a significant step to enhance student well-being in higher education by initiating the development of a comprehensive mental health policy for its campus community. The institute’s Wellness Centre, a mental health care facility for students, faculty, and staff, has prepared the first draft of this policy. The draft incorporates inputs from various stakeholders, including the Dean of Student Welfare, Associate Dean of Student Wellness, clinical psychologists at IIT Roorkee, external advisors, and faculty members.
This initiative is viewed as a pioneering move that could potentially serve as a model for other IITs nationwide. The process was further enriched through “SAHYOG 2.0,” an inter-IIT discussion focused on exchanging ideas and leveraging the experiences of different IITs to formulate a comprehensive and inclusive mental health policy for the entire IIT community. The dialogue aimed to assimilate best practices, policies, and governance systems from various IITs, aligning with recent directives emphasizing mental health governance in higher education institutions.
SAHYOG 2.0, building on the success of its predecessor held in 2024, addressed a spectrum of issues related to mental health governance in educational settings. It explored topics such as the formulation and implementation of mental health policies, the necessity for preventive and responsive support mechanisms, and the pivotal role of Wellness Centres, counselling cells, and student welfare bodies in this framework. The event witnessed the participation of delegates from all IITs, including Deans, faculty members, and mental health professionals, alongside external advisors from esteemed institutions.
