SC Task Force on Student Mental Health

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What happened: 

The Supreme Court’s National Task Force (NTF) launched a website with five surveys to get opinions from students, parents, teachers, mental health experts, and the public.

Why: 

To address student suicides and improve mental health in higher education institutions. Background:  The task force was set up in March after parents of students who died by suicide complained about caste discrimination, lack of support, and poor institutional response. Who’s involved:  A 12-member team led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ravindra Bhat, with experts in psychiatry, development studies, civil society, and government representatives.

Work so far: 

Visited six major institutes in Delhi and Bengaluru (like AIIMS, JNU, IISc).  Collecting data through surveys and meetings. Focus:  Identify main causes of student suicides — ragging, discrimination, academic pressure, financial burden, and mental health stigma.  Review rules and suggest improvements to prevent suicides. Next steps:  Interim report in September.  Final report by end of this year.

Help available:

Sanjivini suicide prevention helpline: 011-40769002.

UPSC Prelims -

Practice question

1. Consider the following statements regarding the National Task Force (NTF) constituted by the Supreme Court of India:

a. The NTF was constituted to address mental health issues and prevent student suicides in higher education institutions.

b. It consists solely of Supreme Court judges and representatives from the Ministry of Education.

c. The NTF has launched surveys to gather inputs from students, parents, faculty, and mental health professionals.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Mains Question:

GS Paper 2 (Governance, Welfare Schemes, Issues in Social Sector)

Question:

"Student suicides in higher education institutions are a complex social issue linked to systemic shortcomings such as discrimination, academic pressure, and inadequate mental health support."

Discuss the role of institutional mechanisms like the Supreme Court-constituted National Task Force in addressing these challenges. Suggest measures to strengthen mental health support in campuses. (250 words).