The Mind Matters: Why Colleges Must Look Beyond Academics

Madhya Pradesh's decision to make mental health awareness and wellness programmes mandatory for newly admitted college students has been widely welcomed by psychiatrists and psychologists, who see it as a significant step towards addressing a growing but often overlooked crisis among young people.

However, they cautioned that its success will depend on whether institutions move beyond symbolic gestures and create sustained support systems for students.

Beginning July 1, all government and private colleges in the state will be required to conduct mental health awareness sessions as part of student induction programmes. The initiative aims to equip freshers with the tools to cope with academic pressures, emotional challenges and the often difficult transition from school to college life.

The announcement comes at a time when concerns over stress, anxiety, depression and suicides among students have intensified across the country.

The urgency of the issue has become increasingly difficult to ignore. In recent years, a series of student suicides in educational institutions has triggered national concern. The Supreme Court's intervention in the Sukdeb Saha vs State of Andhra Pradesh case prompted the University Grants Commission (UGC) to strengthen guidelines on mental health and well-being in higher educational institutions.

Mental health professionals said the pressures facing today's students are far more complex than those experienced by earlier generations. Academic competition remains intense, but it is now compounded by career uncertainty, social isolation, family expectations, financial concerns and the influence of digital platforms.

According to Dr. Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry at AIIMS, Delhi, students in colleges and universities are increasingly reporting stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and adjustment difficulties.

"Young people today are negotiating multiple transitions simultaneously. They are dealing with academic expectations, social changes, career-related uncertainties and the pressures of a constantly connected digital environment. Mental health support must become an integral component of higher education," he said.

Dr. Sagar added that teachers and non-teaching staff should also be trained to identify early signs of emotional distress and facilitate timely support.

Mental health experts noted that the transition from school to college is one of the most critical phases in a young person's life. For many students, it marks their first experience of living away from home, managing finances independently, building new social networks and adapting to unfamiliar academic environments.

Dr. Jamuna, Professor of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, and President of the Clinical Psychologists Society of India (CPSI), said the move was particularly important because it targeted students at a vulnerable stage.

"The transition from school to college often brings stress, loneliness, anxiety and adjustment difficulties. Universal mental health awareness during induction can normalise these experiences and encourage students to seek help early," she said.

Experts agreed that one of the biggest barriers to mental healthcare remains stigma. Many students continue to view emotional distress as a personal weakness rather than a health issue requiring support.

By introducing mental health discussions at the very beginning of college life, institutions have an opportunity to change attitudes and create a culture where seeking help is considered normal rather than shameful.

However, several experts warned that a single induction session cannot solve a complex and long-standing problem.

Dr. Deepak Srivastava, senior psychiatrist at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, said awareness programmes must continue throughout the academic year.

"Students should know where to seek help when they experience emotional distress. One induction session alone cannot achieve the objective. Campuses need regular awareness programmes, wellness clinics with in-house counsellors and sustained efforts to promote help-seeking behaviour," he said.

A similar view was expressed by Dr. Om Prakash, Professor and Head of the Department of Mental Health at IHBAS, Delhi.

Describing the initiative as "a meaningful first step", he said colleges should view orientation programmes as the starting point rather than the destination.

"A single awareness session cannot transform campus mental health, but it can begin to change attitudes. Faculty members should be trained to identify students in distress, peer-support systems should be encouraged and counselling services must be visible, approachable and confidential," he said.

The emphasis on peer support is particularly significant. Research has consistently shown that students are often more likely to confide in friends than approach formal counselling services. Experts believed structured peer-support programmes could help bridge this gap and encourage early intervention.

Dr. Sunil Kumar, clinical psychologist and founder of Mind Zone, said mental health programmes must be evidence-based and delivered by trained professionals.

"The objective should be to create campuses where students can thrive emotionally, socially and academically. Mental health promotion is not merely about preventing illness; it is about helping young people realise their full potential," he said.

The need for preventive approaches has also been highlighted by mental health practitioners working closely with educational institutions.

Calling the initiative a "commendable shift towards preventive mental healthcare", Shweta Sharma, psychologist at Mansa Global Foundation, said mental health education could strengthen resilience and encourage students to seek professional help before problems become severe.

However, she cautioned that awareness sessions should not remain isolated events.

"Colleges need sustainable mental health ecosystems that include trained professionals, peer-support networks, faculty sensitisation programmes, periodic mental health screening and accessible counselling services. Mental health support should become a core part of student development rather than an optional welfare activity," she said.

At the same time, Dr. Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), said concerns about mental health are no longer limited to school and college students but extend into professional education as well.

"We have repeatedly highlighted the growing stress, burnout, depression and suicides among medical students and doctors. Integrating mental health awareness into student induction is a powerful step towards normalising conversations about emotional well-being," he said.

He also stressed that institutions must provide trained counsellors, psychologists, peer-support systems and clear referral pathways for students who require specialised care.

The responsibility, experts argue, should not rest with students alone.

Dr. Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani, Associate Professor at the Amity Institute of Clinical Psychology, Amity University Haryana, said parents and teachers also need training to recognise emotional distress and respond appropriately.

"Basic counselling skills can help teachers and parents identify students in difficulty before problems become crises. Life-skills education, stress management and behavioural science workshops should become an integral part of higher education," he said.

Ultimately, mental health professionals believe the Madhya Pradesh initiative represents a welcome shift in how educational institutions view student well-being. For decades, success in education was measured largely through marks, rankings and placements. Increasingly, however, there is recognition that emotional well-being is equally important for learning, growth and long-term success, said Dr. Beniwal.

That message resonated strongly with young people themselves.

"Mental health is just as important as physical health," shared Riya Sharma, a 16-year-old pre-college student from Delhi. "Students today face academic pressure, social expectations and the challenge of always being connected online. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming."

She said counselling sessions and mental health awareness programmes can help students express their emotions without fear of judgement and learn healthier ways to cope with stress.

As Madhya Pradesh’s colleges welcome the new batches, the experts said the real test of the state's initiative will begin after the induction programme ends.