IIT Madras, DU Launch Extensive Mental Health, Well-being Campaigns for Students and Parents

IIT Madras has launched extensive mental health and well-being campaigns for its students and parents, commencing with a wellness session series on April 19, 2023, and offering 24/7 mental health support through various initiatives. These programmes are accessible on the IIT Madras campus and extend to institutions across South India, with a dedicated website, behappy.iitm.ac.in, providing further resources.

The initiatives aim to proactively address student stress, prevent suicides, and enhance overall well-being, particularly in response to the tragic loss of four students to suicide in 2023. These efforts mark a critical institutional commitment to fostering a supportive environment for academic excellence and personal resilience.

IIT Madras Mental Health Initiatives 2023-2026: Comprehensive Support

IIT Madras has implemented a multi-faceted approach to mental health, including a wellness session series for students that began on April 19, 2023, supported by the National Health Mission, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. A workshop on ‘Mental wellness and Stress Management’ was also hosted on May 12, 2023. In addition, the ‘Natpudan Ungalodu-Mananala Seva’ and Tele MANAS programmes were launched in October 2022, offering vital support to students.

The institute has introduced plans to mitigate stress and prevent suicides by incorporating counselling for parents and assessing the mental well-being of students as part of the admission process. Other proactive measures include easing mandatory attendance requirements for BTech students and conducting retests for those who miss exams. Ms. Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, IAS, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Government of Tamil Nadu, stated, “We have been recommending to all institutions to conduct programs on students mental health. We are sure these programs by IIT Madras will be forerunners.”

Wellness Programmes and Resources at IIT Madras

IIT Madras has established a solid support system, including the student support initiative ‘MiTR’ and Mental Health Tele counselling services (14416) offered through TeleManas, a 24×7 Toll-free helpline. The institute also launched a new website, behappy.iitm.ac.in, dedicated to students’ mental well-being. The wellness session series commenced with a lecture on ‘An Introduction to Positive Mental Health’ by Dr. M Malaiappan.

The Wellness Community Centre at IIT Madras comprises three dedicated teams: SAATHI, MITR, and the Wellness Centre. The institute has also collaborated with YourDOST to provide online and face-to-face counselling services, with a 24×7 Tele-Counseling helpline available at 044-4813 6222. Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, highlighted, “Happiness is a collective responsibility. There is the involvement of Administration, faculty, counsellors, parents and the most important friends-network.”

Proactive Measures and Community Engagement

In a significant move, the National Health Authority conducted a full mental wellness screening program at IIT Madras last year. Counselors at IIT Madras regularly visit every hostel and department at fixed times to engage with students. The board of governors at IIT Madras has sanctioned the appointment of Dr. Tilakavathi as the student ombudsman, and an anonymous suggestion box has been installed at the administration office to encourage feedback.

Last week (prior to May 12, 2023), IIT Madras launched an initiative to conduct a ‘Wellness Survey for Students, faculty and staff’. Prof. R. Sarathi, Coordinator, Wellness Program, IIT Madras, noted, “In a campus of more than 10,000 students, in the last one week alone, we have had one-to-one interactions with nearly 2,200 students on the Wellness Programs.” These efforts underscore the institute’s commitment to creating a supportive and responsive environment for its diverse student body.

Yourdost Weekly Counseling Schedule at IIT Madras

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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