Gujarat mandates mental health and suicide prevention in schools
Schools for Classes 9 to 12 must establish wellness teams and appoint counsellors, according to ANI.
The Gujarat government has introduced new regulations requiring mental health support and suicide prevention measures in secondary and higher secondary schools across the state, according to ANI. The rules apply to all schools offering Classes 9 to 12 that are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB).
Under the new provisions, every school must form a School Wellness Team (SWT) to monitor emotional well-being and identify signs of mental distress. The team will be led by the school principal and include a coordinator, teachers, a School Management Committee representative, a non-teaching staff member, and a student peer leader called 'Mano-Mitra'.
Institutions with 100 or more students are required to hire at least one qualified psychologist, counsellor, or social worker trained in adolescent mental health. Schools with fewer than 100 students must set up formal referral links with external professionals or health centres.
The framework incorporates Regulation 16(A) into the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Regulations, 1974. This decision was guided by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja, and Minister of State for Education Rivabaa Jadeja.
The regulations prohibit schools from segregating students based on marks or using public humiliation and comparisons regarding academic performance. Schools are also required to organise activities such as yoga, meditation, and sports to promote well-being.