IIT Delhi sets up expert committee to ensure mental well-being of students

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has set up an expert committee in order to ensure the mental well-being and welfare of its students. The IIT Delhi committee comprises its alumni and external experts as well as some belonging to the institution.

The IIT Delhi move comes in the wake of the Supreme Court constituting a national task force to address the mental health issues of students and the rising incidents of suicides on campus while hearing a petition filed by the parents of IIT Delhi BTech students Ayush Ashna and Anil Kumar who died by suicide in their hostel rooms in 2023. Both belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

IIT Delhi is committed to taking more steps in this regard, it said in a statement, adding that the institute holds regular dialogues with its students to understand their problems and offer the best possible solutions.

“The committee’s report has been discussed in all-faculty and deans’ committee meetings to ensure that all members of the faculty and the administration are sensitive to these issues while engaging with students within and outside the academic environment,” the IIT Delhi statement said.

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IIT Delhi: Mental well-being committee

A few issues highlighted by the IIT Delhi committee included an excessively competitive environment, issues rooted in the entrance exam system, coaching culture, biases of caste, gender, and other factors of social identity.

“While some processes to address these issues were already in place, the committee highlighted the need to strengthen and optimise these measures and also explore additional measures,” the IIT Delhi statement adds.

Additionally, the committee’s report has been discussed to ensure all members are sensitive to these issues while engaging with students within and outside the academic environment.

According to the IIT Delhi statement, based on the committee’s report as well as students’ audit of the current counselling structures, IIT Delhi is planning to develop a comprehensive action plan to strengthen student support structures. The report will also be tabled before the institute’s board of governors, along with other measures to implement its suggestions.

IIT Delhi has also sought suggestions in this regard.

“The Institute also recognizes that, unfortunately, none of the issues pointed out by the committee are unique or specific to IIT Delhi. Factors such as the competitive nature of the entrance exam and the academic environment and social biases and prejudices are systemic issues. The Institute is committed to addressing these issues as much as possible within its campus; at the same time, it also is committed to working with other stakeholders, such as the other IITs, to engage with these issues at a larger level, for example, in JEE and other entrance exams,” IIT Delhi statement added.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.