IIT Delhi to appoint mental health ombudsperson and hold staff workshops
The institute announced new measures to strengthen student mental health support following recommendations from an external inquiry committee.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has announced several measures to improve its student mental health support system, according to The Indian Express. These include appointing an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson and recruiting more clinical psychologists and counsellors.
The reforms follow recommendations from an external inquiry committee formed after the death of student Rishikesh Kumar on August 22. The committee, chaired by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta, included an AIIMS expert and two student representatives.
Under the new plan, empathy, soft skills, and mental health workshops will be mandatory for faculty, administrative staff, and hostel staff. The institute also intends to launch awareness campaigns regarding mental health and substance use laws.
IIT Delhi will introduce formalised re-entry protocols for students returning from extended leaves of absence. The institute also plans to conduct a comprehensive review of its wellness policy through an external committee consisting of two mental health experts, one welfare professional, and two student representatives.
The measures were discussed at a Student Affairs Council (SAC) meeting on November 3, where student inputs were incorporated into a time-bound implementation plan. The institute has not disclosed a specific timeline for the completion of the review or the implementation of all measures.