In the wake of the recent suicide of a former NEET topper in Delhi, the mental health crisis in educational institutions has become a topic of urgent concern. This issue is particularly glaring in Chandigarh, where colleges have no regular positions for mental health counsellors. With the responsibility for student mental health falling on teachers, the situation remains critical as they struggle to provide adequate care alongside their teaching duties.


Principals from various colleges have voiced concerns about the increasing mental health burden on teachers. "We have no regular counsellors," said Ajay Sharma, principal of Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College. “Four of our psychology teachers are trained to counsel students, but this is far from enough.” Most students seek help for exam stress, but there are also cases that need professional psychiatric care.

No Regular Counsellor Posts in Colleges

An official from the UT education department confirmed that there have never been regular counsellor posts in city colleges. Unlike schools, where the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mandates counsellors, colleges are not required to hire them. They do, however, have the freedom to appoint temporary counsellors, though few have done so.

Without a formal structure, many colleges rely on teachers in their psychology departments to act as mental health counsellors. “There are no regular posts for counsellors, but colleges are doing what they can,” said Sharma. He also noted that mental health and career counselling are part of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) evaluation, pushing colleges to take independent action.

Teachers Overwhelmed by Mental Health Burden

Teachers are already overburdened with their academic responsibilities, making it difficult to provide consistent mental health support. Dr. Simmi Waraich, a consultant psychologist at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, recommended that colleges train teachers to identify warning signs like sudden drops in academic performance or changes in behavior. “Psychology departments must take the lead, and students should be made aware of the mental health support available from day one,” she suggested.

She also emphasized the importance of anonymity and accessibility in mental health services, encouraging colleges to set up email addresses where students can seek help confidentially. The Covid-19 lockdown has had a lasting impact on student mental health, and its effects are still visible. With students facing challenges from academic stress to post-pandemic anxiety, the need for professional mental health services has never been greater.

Administration Promises to Look Into Regular Counsellor Posts

Despite the growing demand, creating permanent posts for mental health counsellors is not yet a priority for the UT education department. “Right now, we are focused on creating regular teaching positions, but we will also look into hiring counsellors in the future,” said Rubinderjit Singh Brar, UT Director of Higher Education. The process of creating these posts is long and complicated, he explained, but it is on their agenda.

Panjab University Lacks Mental Health Infrastructure

The mental health crisis is not limited to Chandigarh’s colleges. Panjab University (PU), which caters to over 15,000 students, also has no full-time counsellors. An advertisement is in the works to hire two counsellors for this academic session, but it remains unclear when the appointments will be made.

During the last Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections, president Jatinder Singh pledged to bring back mental health counsellors at the university—a service that has been absent for four years. The current president, Anurag Dalal, has echoed this promise, stressing the importance of mental health services, particularly for research scholars who face unique pressures.

Rising Suicide Rates Among Chandigarh Youth

The lack of mental health professionals in educational institutions is especially alarming given the rising suicide rates among young people in Chandigarh. According to police data from the last four years (2021-2024), nearly half of the suicide victims in the city were between the ages of 18 and 30. Out of 435 suicides during this period, 217 were among youth, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support in colleges and universities.

Students are increasingly vocal about the need for mental health infrastructure. Alongside the PUCSC’s efforts, there have been growing calls for mental health services from students across the city. However, without regular counsellor posts or adequate funding, the road to meaningful change seems long.