The Supreme Court appointed National Task Force (NTF) on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) has officially launched its dedicated website. The newly launched website (ntf.education.gov.in) serves as a central platform to gather diverse perspectives from key stakeholders including:
Students of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Parents of such students, Faculty Members, Mental Health Service Providers, Heads of Institutions, General Public, including friends or family members of students affected by suicide, alumni, NGOs, media professionals, and other concerned citizens.
The portal hosts structured online survey questionnaires, available in English and Hindi, designed to collect anonymous and confidential inputs on a wide range of themes including:
Campus environment, Inclusivity and belongingness, Sources of distress and systemic discrimination, Existing support systems and grievance redressal mechanisms and Suggestions for improving student wellbeing.
In addition to stakeholder surveys, a specialized Institutional Survey has been made available for Heads of HEIs to submit data on reported suicides, preventive mechanisms, and student support infrastructure in their respective institutions.
The website also includes an open space for concerned citizens to share personal insights, observations, and recommendations.
The National Task Force under the Chairmanship of Former Justice Shri Ravindra Bhat, aims to develop comprehensive, recommendations to improve student wellbeing and prevent suicides in HEIs. It has appealed to all stakeholders and the State Nodal Officers appointed for this initiative to actively participate in the process by responding to the surveys in large numbers. “The diversity of views and lived experiences collected through this participatory process will play a critical role in shaping the final recommendations of the Task Force,” said Justice Bhat at a press conference in New Delhi on Aug 8.
Further, as part of its multi-pronged approach, the Task Force is undertaking visits to various higher education institutions across the country. These visits will engage students, faculty, administrators, and grievance redressal committee members, provide open fora for students to voice their experiences and have special focus on the needs and perspectives of students from disadvantaged and marginalised communities.
To augment the infrastructure and support ecosystem, the NTF is also consulting with subject matter experts, NGOs, mental health professionals, and reviewing relevant data, reports, and research to ensure a comprehensive and evidence-based approach.
The Chairperson emphasized that the National Task Force, constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, is distinct from previous committees and task forces, as it is not confined to any particular institution or category of institutions. Rather, it brings all types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country within its purview.
He further highlighted the Task Force’s diverse composition, comprising experts from fields such as social sciences, disability rights, gender studies, clinical psychology, community medicine, and others.
Underscoring the multi-pronged strategy being adopted, he urged all stakeholder groups to extend their active support and collaboration.
Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education and UGC chairman, who is the member Secretary of the National Task Force highlighted that the National Task Force is engaging with a wide spectrum of institutions, ranging from central and state universities to private colleges, technical institutes, and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country. He emphasized that this inclusive approach ensures that the concerns, challenges, and perspectives of diverse institutional settings are taken into account while formulating recommendations.
He further stated that the Department of Higher Education is extending all possible support to the Task Force, be it in terms of coordination, data sharing, policy inputs, or facilitating outreach to institutions and stakeholders. Dr. Joshi reiterated the Department’s commitment to strengthening student well-being and mental health frameworks within higher education, and affirmed that the Ministry is closely aligned with the objectives of the Task Force.
Task Force Members:
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as the Chairperson; Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, New Delhi; Prof. Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre, for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi; Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People; Prof. Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust; Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi; Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS; Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi; Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi; Ms. Aparna Bhat, Senior Advocate (as amicus curiae).
