National Task Force (NTF) on Student Mental Health

Prelims – Indian Polity & Governance.

Mains – GS II | Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Why in the News?

Recently, a National Task Force (NTF) on Student Mental Health was formed.

• Formed by – Supreme Court of India.
• Objectives – To address the mental health concerns of students and to prevent student suicides in institutions of higher education.
• Need – National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2021 highlights that over 13,000 students lost their lives by committing suicide in the country, which is almost twice a decade ago.

According to the NCRB report, student suicides accounted for 7.6% of the total suicides in India in 2022, with 1.2% of total suicides attributable to professional or career problems and 1.2% to failure in examinations.

• Composition – Chairman and ex-officio members
  • Ex-officio members – Secretaries of the ministries of higher education, social justice and empowerment, legal affairs, and women & child development.
• Functions – Determining the most significant factors for student suicides.
• Reviewing current rules and providing suggestions.
• Carrying out surprise checks at universities and colleges.
• It can make recommendations for additional steps beyond its original mandate for efficient handling of student mental health issues.
• Report preparation:
  • Interim report - within 4 months.
  • Final report - within 8 months.

Reference

The New Indian Express| NTF for Student Mental Health