In New Delhi, the Delhi High Court has requested a reply from the government of the capital city regarding a petition concerning the mental well-being of students in schools and colleges. The petition, filed by Devina Singh, a 17-year-old student, seeks the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 in educational institutions.
The bench, comprising of Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, has issued a notice and has also requested a response from the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences, located in New Delhi.
During the PIL, Singh, represented by senior advocate Sonia Mathur, argued that children and adolescents are vulnerable to mental disorders, and the healthcare system fails to prioritize mental health, as indicated by the National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-16. Singh claimed that prevalent issues among students, such as stress, fear, depression, insomnia, disconnectedness, and lack of self-confidence, are often neglected.
According to a report by PTI, the petition highlights the absence of comprehensive assessment, evaluation, diagnostics, protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOP) for addressing students’ mental health, in contrast to the periodic assessment and follow-up done for physical health. Furthermore, it emphasizes the direct connection between academic stress, performance, and sound mental health. The petition warns that untreated mental disorders in children can lead to more complex disorders, school dropout, addiction, and self-harm.
The plea also acknowledges the significant psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students. It notes that the pandemic has caused acute and chronic stress due to parental anxiety, disrupted daily routines, increased family violence, and limited access to peers, teachers, or physical activity. The petition, filed by advocate Rahul Kumar, requests the mandatory presence of clinical psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals in every school and college within the district to assess students’ mental health.
Additionally, the petition seeks a directive for authorities to implement the National Mental Health program for the benefit of students and conduct regular mental health surveys at periodic intervals.
Name: Ritika keshari, College- Shambhunath Institute of Law, Semester – 2nd semester as a intern at Legal Vidhiya
0 Comments