Gurgaon: Noting rising cases of mental stress and suicides among college students, the directorate of higher education (DHE) has launched a focused training initiative for govt college principals.In the first phase, around 30 principals from Faridabad, Palwal, Jhajjar and Gurgaon will attend a two-day workshop on student mental health and suicide prevention at Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) on Jan 15 and 16. Officials said the programme aims to finalise a training module and develop “master trainers” who will later train teaching and non-teaching staff in their colleges.
Officials said the first training has been scheduled in the city because of its central location and existing institutional infrastructure, allowing the state to roll out the initiative efficiently before expanding it to other districts.The move comes amid rising reports of anxiety, depression and academic pressure among college students, said a senior official. These issues, they said, have not only contributed to higher dropout rates but have also been linked to an increase in suicide cases across campuses. “Mental health has emerged as a critical challenge in colleges and universities. There is a need for early intervention and a supportive campus ecosystem,” an official said.Over two days, participants will attend eight sessions covering early identification of distressed students, basic mental health assessment, referral mechanisms, and the role and limitations of teachers and college administrations. Strengthening campus safety systems and creating an environment where students feel safe seeking help will also be key areas of discussion.Once trained, the principals will act as “master trainers” and replicate the programme in their respective colleges. They will train teaching and non-teaching staff, ensuring that awareness and response mechanisms reach classrooms, hostels and administrative offices.The initiative is being jointly organised by the higher education department, state universities and HIPA. Lodging and boarding arrangements for participants have been made at the Gurgaon campus.
