UGC mental health draft focuses on standardised student-counsellor ratio, well-being centres

The UGC will track progress through a dedicated portal called ‘MANASSETU’

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NEW DELHI: A UGC panel has proposed specific counsellor-to-student ratios, one for every 500 students in larger institutions and one for every 100 in smaller ones, and to hold periodic awareness programmes on stress and anxiety to bolster student-support systems, according to officials.

‘The recommendations have been made in the University Grants Commission (UGC) panel’s draft guidelines, UGC Guidelines on Uniform Policy on Mental Health & Well-Being for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), for colleges and universities.

“The HEIs shall establish a dedicated Mental Health & Well-being Centre with all required physical infrastructure. The infrastructure will include dedicated rooms/ spaces that will provide privacy while making or waiting for appointments,’ as per the recommendations. Also suggesting that periodic awareness programmes on stress and anxiety be held.