Gujarat makes mental health and suicide prevention mandatory for students
Schools for Classes 9 to 12 must establish wellness teams and appoint counsellors, according to ANI.
The Gujarat government has introduced new regulations requiring secondary and higher secondary schools to provide mental health support and suicide prevention measures, according to ANI. The rules apply to all schools offering Classes 9 to 12 that are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB).
Under the new provisions, every school must form a School Wellness Team (SWT) to monitor emotional well-being and identify signs of distress. Schools with 100 or more students are required to hire at least one qualified psychologist, counsellor, or social worker trained in adolescent mental health.
The initiative, guided by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja, and Minister of State for Education Rivabaa Jadeja, incorporates Regulation 16(A) into existing state education regulations. The framework follows Supreme Court guidelines and NCERT UMMEED guidelines.
The School Wellness Team will be led by the principal and include a coordinator, teachers, a School Management Committee representative, a non-teaching staff member, and a student peer leader called 'Mano-Mitra'. Schools with fewer than 100 students must set up referral links with external professionals or health centres.
The regulations prohibit schools from segregating students based on marks or using public humiliation and comparisons regarding academic performance. Schools must also provide confidential access to support through help boxes and display helpline numbers on notice boards and websites.