To ensure equitable access to quality mental health services for all students, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recommended setting up of Student Service Centers (SSCs) in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to manage problems related to stress and emotional adjustment. has ordered.
SSC is expected to make standardised, systematic arrangements within the relevant provision for providing required support to students, especially from rural background, women students, students from different cultural background and students with special needs.
SSC as per NEP
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) will ensure the physical, psychological and emotional well being of the students. Help centers and career counselors are to be made available to all students in HEIs.
The UGC has constituted an expert committee to comprehensively examine all issues relating to the mental health, physical, psychological and emotional well-being of students on the campus of HEIs. The UGC is planning to implement the recommendations of the committee including setting up of the SSC.
As per UGC, SSC shall have competent physical and mental health counselors, physical and mental health experts, and necessary equipment such as physical, physiological-psychological assessment tools to inform, assess, guide students and provide necessary counseling interventions. Must have resources. Make them feel capable, energetic and independent office bearers in achieving their career goals’.
The SSC will be managed by a director or dean-level position equivalent to the rank of professor in disciplines such as psychology, physical education and sports, psychiatry, social work or sociology. The center will conduct counseling, guidance, and physical and mental health services online, in person, through a telephone helpline, or in group counseling sessions, depending on the situation.
SSC will serve as a single-window system to address relevant student issues. It will also maintain separate records of students seen as more vulnerable and stress-prone for further support and resilience building exercises. The aim is to reduce dropout rates.
Dedicated, Trained Professionals
SSC will have dedicated, professionally trained counselors working under its Director or In-charge. In project driven mode the mentors can also be taken from the psychology and physical education departments of the respective institutes. As per the UGC guidelines, it is recognized that issues related to the mental health and well-being of students will require more attention during the transitional phases of their lives, such as examinations and during various stages of their careers.
This center should work closely with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals from nearby medical institutions. Higher education institutions should plan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with premier institutions like NIMHANS and other institutions where psychiatric departments are fully functional in case special pharmacological intervention or other medical intervention is required.
Coordination of SSC with various centers like SC/ST Cell, Gender Equality Center and Student Welfare Committees should be ensured. Higher education institutions should respect linguistic, religious, cultural and social diversity and ensure that counselors with proficient linguistic skills can provide services to students and teachers. Special consideration may be given to LGBTQ+ students.
emphasis on physical activity
The UGC has stressed that HEIs should focus on the physical fitness and physical activities of the students. However, despite having adequate human resources and infrastructure for physical and sports activity in higher education institutions, physical activity is not mandatory in many institutions.
UGC has regretted this and said: “It is a great irony that sports fee is charged from every student admitted in the institute. Still participation in sports activity or use of sports facilities is Only 1 or 2% is done.The physically inactive campus life for the students leads them to various psychosomatic disorders.
Therefore, the UGC suggests that all HEIs create necessary outdoor and indoor sports facilities and infrastructure in the campus. There should be a state-of-the-art gymnasium and yoga centre. They should regularly organize self-defense training programs, especially for girl students.