The Supreme Court issued 15 pan-India guidelines to address the rising incidents of suicide. It also covers safety concerns, and mental health issues among students in educational institutions.

Court stated that  these measures will remain in force and binding until appropriate legislation enacted by the competent authorities. It said mental health was an integral component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

1. All educational institutions must adopt and implement a uniform mental health policy. It should be based on  UMMEED Draft Guidelines, the MANODARPAN initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
2. Institutions with 100 or more enrolled students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist.
3. All institutions must ensure optimal student-to-counsellor ratios.
4. Coaching and educational institutions directed to refrain from batch segregation based on academic performance.
5. Institution’s must have written protocols for immediate referral to mental health services, hospitals, and suicide prevention helplines.
6. All residential institutions must install tamper-proof ceiling fans or equivalent safety devices.
7. Coaching hubs must implement enhanced mental health protections.
8. All teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo mandatory training conducted by certified mental health professionals.
9. Institutions must establish robust, confidential, and accessible systems to report and address incidents of sexual assault, harassment etc.
10. These guidelines apply to all educational institutions across India, including public and private schools, colleges, universities, training centres, coaching institutes, residential academies, and hostels.

Experts say that Many factors beyond education also play a role, including family violence, financial stress, relationship struggles, bullying, and online shaming, all of which can increase risk.

 There is a need for a wider approach that looks at all stressors faced by young people and not just academics.

Strategies must look at individual, family, community, education and financial factors togetherstrategies must look at individual, family, community, education and financial factors together.

 Young people spending time on social media and online, also need to examine how that affects mental health.