In today’s fast-paced world, everybody is running towards achieving different things. One of those runs is of students running for academic excellence to lay a strong foundation for their professional careers. However, we often forget the significance of pauses, which negatively impact one’s physical and mental health.
Educational institutions are responsible for the holistic growth and development of students and they try to achieve that by setting up high standards, innumerable projects, and a pressured environment. This was done to challenge students and prepare them to deal with adversities but because of this, some students became extremely vulnerable to mental health issues and disorders such as anxiety, major depression, and stress.
To rejuvenate students’ mental health, recently, the Supreme Court of India directed the authorities to form and establish a National Task Force. This decision has been taken to address the mental health concerns of students and reduce the soaring rates of suicides committed by students in Higher Educational Institutions.
Read the article to learn more details about the Supreme Court’s order and the to-be-formed task force.
About The National Task Force
The Supreme Court of India announced and directed authorities to form a National Task Force to address the mental health concerns of students and reduce the soaring rates of suicides committed by students in Higher Educational Institutions.
The major particulars of the Task Force are mentioned below in brief for one’s better understanding and reference:
1. Interim Report
The Task Force is required to submit an interim report within 4 months and the final report is to be submitted in 8 months.
2. Agenda
The primary agenda of the Task Force would be to locate the contributing causes of suicide committed by students, review policies and existing laws concerning student welfare and their mental health, and recommend amendments if any.
The National Task Force will conduct surprise inspections in universities too to observe the natural working of the university with their students.
3. Members Of The Task Force
The Task Force will be headed by Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat along with 9 other members:
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Dr Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, New Delhi
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Prof Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre for Women's Development Studies, New Delhi
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Mr Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People
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Prof Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust
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Dr Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi
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Dr Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS
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Prof Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi
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Dr Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi
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Ms Aparna Bhat, Senior Advocate (as amicus curiae who assists the court with their expertise but is not involved legally)
4. Funds
The SC of India directed the Union of India to deposit funds worth Rs. 20 lakhs for the working of the Task Force.
What Led To This Decision By SC?
The Supreme Court of India benched by Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan came across a case of Amit Kumar & ORS. vs. Union of India & ORS. The case was filed by the parents of two students who were studying at IIT Delhi and allegedly committed suicide due to academic pressure and caste-based discrimination.
The parents argued that due to neglect and bad treatment by the authorities of the institution, their children were pushed to take such a measure. They filed complaints with the police officials but they refused to file a formal FIR.
The SC didn’t disregard the parent’s appeal and highlighted the fact that it is not the first case in this matter. There are unfortunately innumerable instances of suicides committed by students studying in Higher Educational Institutions such as IITs, NITs, IIMs, etc.
The SC of India recognised that it is time to not sympathise but to take action and employ whatever measures possible to protect the youth of the nation.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court of India’s decision to establish a National Task Force will prove to be one of the most significant steps for the students and will hopefully reduce the rate of suicides committed by students in Higher Educational Institutes.
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