1. These Policy shall be called as “Mental Health and Wellbeing of Students and Staff” of the University (hereinafter referred to as the Policy).
2. This Policy is aligned with national priorities articulated in the UMMEED Guidelines for Suicide Prevention and the Manodarpan Initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
3. This Policy adopts a preventive, promotive, and responsive framework to address mental health concerns, reduce stigma, strengthen resilience, and ensure timely support and care.
4. This Policy shall come into force, after approval of the Board of Governors, with effect from the date of its notification by an Office Order.

1. Promote positive mental health and emotional well-being among students and staff.
2. Prevent self-harm, suicide, and severe psychological distress through early identification and intervention.
3. Establish clear institutional mechanisms for mental health support and crisis response.
4. Build capacity and sensitivity among faculty, administrators, students, and staff.
5. Reduce stigma associated with mental health concerns and help-seeking.
6. Ensure confidentiality, dignity, and rights of all individuals seeking support.

1. All undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students.
2. All faculty members, administrative staff, healthcare workers and contractual staff.
3. All SRHU campuses, hostels, hospitals, academic units and field locations.

1. Every Life Matters: Every student and staff member have inherent worth and dignity.
2. Prevention First: Early identification and support are key to preventing crises.
3. Non-judgmental Support: Empathy, respect, and sensitivity in all interactions.
4. Confidentiality: Information shared will be protected and disclosed only on a need basis.
5. Shared Responsibility: Mental well-being is a collective institutional responsibility.
6. Inclusivity and Equity: Support for diverse needs, including vulnerable and high-risk groups.

1. University Mental Health & Wellness Committee (UMHWC)

   SRHU shall constitute a University Mental Health & Wellness Committee comprising:

   1. Chairperson (Senior Academic/Administrative Authority)
   2. Deans/ Principals of constituent academic units of the university
   3. Head Department of Psychiatry
   4. Student representatives (01 Student from each Academic Unit)
   5. HR Head
   6. Medical Superintendent
   7. Chief Hostel Warden
   8. Head Department of Clinical Psychology-Member Secretary
   Key Functions Areas:
   • Policy implementation and oversight.
   • Periodic review of mental health initiatives.
   • Crisis preparedness and response planning.
   • Organize training sessions for faculty and students.
   • Annual Report preparation.
   • Quarterly meetings with documented meeting minutes.
   • Coordination with external mental health services.
   • Sensitisation programmes for all concerned.
   • Displays at prominent places including hostels.
   • Safety measures as per Government guidelines.
2. Campus / Unit Wellness Teams (CWTs)

   Each constituent academic unit, department, hostel, and hospital unit shall establish a Campus Wellness Team, aligned with the UMMEED Wellness Team model.

   Responsibilities
   • Identify early warning signs among students/staff.
   • Act as first responders in distress situations.
   • Coordinate referrals and follow-up care.
   • Promote wellness activities at the unit level.

SRHU shall proactively promote mental health through measures consistent with UMMEED and Manodarpan advisories, including specific guidance for university students, faculty, staff, and families.

1. Positive Academic and Work Environment
   • Encouraging respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory practices.
   • Zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, ragging, or humiliation.
   • Academic mentoring and flexible support during stressful periods (examinations, dissertation submission, placements).
   • Transparent and timely communication regarding academics, assessments, research timelines, and evaluations.
2. Wellness, Life Skills, and Routine Building
   • Advising students and staff to limit excessive exposure to distressing news and social media.
   • Encouraging use of authentic information sources and avoidance of misinformation.
   • Promoting healthy digital habits and monitoring screen time.
3. Responsible Media and Digital Well-being
   • Promotion of healthy daily routines including regular sleep, balanced nutrition, physical activity, and recreation.
   • Regular yoga, meditation, mindfulness, sports, art, and cultural activities.
   • Life skills training on stress management, emotional regulation, resilience, communication, and problem-solving.
   • Encouraging students and staff to identify strengths, practice self-compassion, and allocate regular “me-time”.
4. Awareness, Destigmatisation, and Help-Seeking
   • Mental health awareness campaigns, workshops, and observance of World Mental Health Day.
   • Normalising help-seeking as a sign of strength.
   • Dissemination of information on warning signs, coping strategies, protective factors, and available support resources.
   • Integration of mental well-being modules into student induction and faculty orientation programs.

Faculty, staff, peers, and supervisors shall be sensitised to identify warning signs, including:

• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or withdrawal.
• Sudden decline in academic/work performance.
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or behaviour.
• Verbal or written expressions of self-harm or worthlessness.
• Risk-taking or reckless behavior.
• Any warning sign, even if observed once, must be taken seriously.

1. Students or Staff Displaying Warning Signs
   • Approach the individual calmly and empathetically.
   • Listen without judgment and provide reassurance.
   • Inform a Campus Wellness Team member immediately.
   • Facilitate referral to the university counsellor/psychologist.
2. Suicide or Self-harm Attempt
   • Ensure immediate safety and do not leave the individual alone.
   • Remove access to means of self-harm without force.
   • Inform medical services and senior authorities immediately.
   • Parents/guardians (for students) or family (for staff) to be informed sensitively.
   • Mandatory psychological evaluation and follow-up care.

• Availability of trained counsellors and mental health professionals.
• Clear referral pathways to psychiatrists, hospitals, and emergency services.
• Access to national helplines including Manodarpan (8448440632) .
• Reasonable academic/workplace accommodations during recovery.

• All mental health records shall be maintained securely
• Information will be shared only with authorised personnel.
• Confidentiality may be breached only if there is imminent risk to life

• Faculty and supervisors: identification, response, and referral
• Students: peer support, emotional literacy, help-seeking.
• Administrative and support staff: crisis sensitivity and response.

1. Students
   SRHU shall acknowledge academic, social, and career-related stressors faced by students and provide:
   • Counselling support for exam anxiety, research delays, dissertation submission, placements, and career uncertainty.
   • Guidance on emotional awareness, effective communication, self-help strategies, and coping skills.
   • Encouragement to build peer support networks and participate in student support groups.
   • Access to self-help resources such as mindfulness modules, stress management worksheets, and life skills programs.
2. Persons with Disabilities
   SRHU shall ensure inclusive mental health support for persons with disabilities by:
   • Providing clear, adapted communication and reassurance during periods of change or uncertainty.
   • Supporting routine planning, visual schedules, and structured timetables.
   • Monitoring behavioural changes as indicators of distress.
   • Facilitating timely access to therapists, counsellors, and medical professionals.
3. Families and Caregivers
   Families shall be recognised as key partners in mental well-being through:
   • Encouraging respectful communication, privacy, and autonomy of students.
   • Sensitisation to warning signs such as withdrawal, sleep changes, mood swings, or loss of interest.
   • Promotion of supportive home environments, healthy lifestyle practices, and emotional validation.
   • Regular engagement with university counsellors when concerns arise.
4. Faculty and Staff
   SRHU shall support faculty and staff mental well-being by:
   • Encouraging balanced work routines and realistic expectations.
   • Promoting self-care, social support, and healthy coping strategies.
   • Training faculty to regularly check on students’ emotional well-being.
   • Empowering staff to refer students and colleagues for professional support without stigma.
5. High-Risk and Transition Groups
   Targeted support shall be provided for:
   • First-year students and those transitioning between programs.
   • Hostel residents – Research scholars facing prolonged uncertainty or delays.
   • Individuals with chronic illness or significant life stressors.
   • Staff working in high-stress clinical, academic, or administrative roles.

• Annual review of policy implementation by UMHWC.
• Feedback from students, staff, and stakeholders.
• Periodic revision of the policy in line with national guidelines and emerging needs.