Himanshi Dhawan, TNN Jan 9, 2013, 05.08AM IST
NEW DELHI: Concerned over the rising number of students at the premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) driven to suicide or facing serious psychological problems, the IIT Council has decided to establish 24X7 counseling centres and helpline. The measures will be replicated in all centrally-funded technical institutes from the next academic session.
Academic stress coupled with emotional and sometimes financial strain has driven 30 students at premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to suicide and another 872 students to seek psychological counselling across 26 CFTIs in just the last two years. Of the 30 suicide attempts, 12 led to death. Seven of the 12 were from the reserved categories such as SC, ST and OBC.
Speaking after the IIT Council meeting HRD minister MM Pallam Raju said that there was a shared concern in the meeting over the issue and the recommendations of the taskforce set up to assess the problem had been accepted.
Speaking on the issue IIT-Kanpur board of governors' chairman M Anandkrishnan, who headed the taskforce, said, "All IITs have decided to set up a well-structured counseling centre and a helpline." This will also be replicated in IIMs, NITs and other CFTIs. Other measures that will be taken include discrete tracking of students by teachers to keep a check on any untoward behaviour. The implementation of the measures will be monitored by an empowered committee.
The minister had suggested that the counseling services be known as wellness centres to keep it away from the taboo of "psychological" help.
DMK MP and IIT council member Vasanthi Stanley said that drugs and alcohol had made their way to the campus without any check. "We are very concerned that so many young boys and girls are making such drastic emotional decisions. I feel that there should be a mentor for every new student to ensure that the child has some support," she said.
