IIT Bombay hosts 2nd national well-being conclave; focuses on student mental health across HEIs

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay hosted the 2nd national well-being conclave on November 22, 23, 2025, to advance strategies for student and faculty mental health in higher education institutions (HEIs) across India. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, the conclave focused on embedding counselling services, resilience initiatives, and digital well-being tools into academic systems.

The conclave saw participation from around 80 higher education institutions (HEIs), 115 faculty members, and 139 students. It built on the inaugural conclave held at IIT Hyderabad in 2024 and focused on developing coordinated strategies for student mental health , resilience, and well-being.

The two-day programme began with an inaugural session at the convocation hall, including the felicitation of dignitaries and a lamp-lighting ceremony. During the session, the “Compendium of Emerging Best Practices of Well-being Across the Country 2.0” was released, documenting models that can be replicated across institutions.

Student Mental Health: Inter-institutional support models

Day one of the 2nd national well-being conclave included a wellness exhibition, symposiums, and panel discussions covering counselling systems, peer mentorship networks, digital well-being tools, and the institutional role in promoting student health. Sessions included:

Symposium: “The Future of Well-being in Indian Higher Education” on evolving institutional responsibilities.

Panel: “Thriving Minds: From Academic Growth to Lifelong Well-being” on integrating emotional resilience into academic and personal development.

Sessions: “Policy Frameworks for Well-being: From National Guidelines to Campus Implementation,” “Early Identification and Intervention of Psychosocial Concerns,” and “Collaborative Mental Health Frameworks .”

“Experts highlighted the need for proactive institutional mechanisms, early support systems, and inter-institutional partnerships to create sustainable impact, strengthen support systems, and embed well-being into academic culture ,” the press release said.

National Well-being Conclave: Faculty and student workshops

Day two began with a campus walkathon linking physical and mental health , followed by workshops for faculty and students on life skills, peer support, counselling competencies, and digital well-being. Student groups showcased initiatives through presentations.

Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, delivered remarks, followed by Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, and Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, who highlighted the importance of institutionalising student well-being.

The conclave concluded with a valedictory ceremony chaired by Rina Sonowal Kouli, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Final recommendations and the Inter-University Action Plan for 2025–26 were announced, aiming to coordinate well-being initiatives across HEIs.

The education ministry states that by charting a comprehensive action plan for 2025–26, the conclave reaffirmed its commitment to establishing an accountable academic ecosystem that integrates mental health into India’s higher education framework.

1st national well-being conclave overview

The 1st National Well-being Conclave held at IIT Hyderabad on November 9, 10, 2024, involved 350 stakeholders from 100 institutions and highlighted student and faculty mental health as a collective responsibility.

Key recommendations included professional counselling systems, student representation, faculty and staff wellbeing initiatives, and collaboration with external experts. These measures align with the Supreme Court’s 15-point guidelines issued in July 2025.