The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has issued detailed guidelines requiring private professional education institutions to strengthen mental health support for students.
Vinod Mohitkar, Director of Technical Education, said all institutes offering professional courses must prioritise student well-being and establish effective systems to prevent psychological distress.
“Academic pressure, competitive environments and transitional phases in education require urgent and structured mental health interventions,” Mohitkar said.
Under the new directives, institutions are required to implement provisions outlined in national suicide prevention policies and ensure the information is clearly displayed on their official websites and notice boards.
Colleges and institutes with 100 or more enrolled students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker with practical experience in child and adolescent mental health. Institutions with fewer students are required to establish formal partnerships with external mental health professionals to provide counselling services when needed.
The guidelines also mandate the prominent display of contact details for mental health services, nearby hospitals and suicide prevention helplines in hostels, classrooms, common areas and on institutional websites. This information must be presented in large, clearly visible lettering.
In addition, all teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo training at least twice a year in psychological first aid, mental health awareness and suicide prevention. These training sessions must be conducted by qualified professionals.
Mohitkar said staff should be trained to interact sensitively and inclusively with students from all social, economic and cultural backgrounds, including those from marginalised and reserved categories.
The directives further call for the creation of confidential and accessible grievance redressal mechanisms to address issues such as harassment, ragging, bullying, sexual misconduct and discrimination based on caste, class, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or ethnicity.
Institutions have been instructed to comply immediately with the guidelines and submit detailed reports on the measures taken to their respective regional offices of the directorate.
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