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IIT Roorkee Takes Lead in Drafting Comprehensive Mental Health Policy for IIT System.

‘SAHYOG 2.0' ; a structured Inter-IIT Alignment for strengthened policies.

By : Nikhasab 2026-02-16 06:27:46

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Launches Comprehensive Mental Health Policy; Hosts ‘SAHYOG 2.0’ for Inter-IIT Alignment

Roorkee : The Indian Institute of technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has introduced a comprehensive mental health policy, positioning it as a model framework for higher education institutions across India.The initiative marks a structured step toward institutionalising mental health governance within the IIT system.

“Mental health and well-being have emerged as critical pillars of excellence in higher education, and initiatives such as SAHYOG 2.0 reflect our collective recognition of this responsibility.” said Prof K.K Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee.

The policy is the outcome of a collaborative process led by the Dean of Student Welfare, Associate Dean of Student Wellness, clinical psychologists, external advisors, and faculty members. The initial draft was prepared by the institute’s Wellness Centre, which functions as a dedicated mental health support facility for the campus community.To facilitate wider consultation, IIT Roorkee hosted SAHYOG 2.0, an inter-IIT dialogue aimed at gathering inputs from peer institutions. The consultation focused on aligning existing practices, identifying policy gaps, and developing a unified, community-centric mental health framework for the IIT ecosystem.SAHYOG 2.0 builds on SAHYOG 1.0, conducted in 2024, and aligns with recent directives issued by the Supreme Court of India and the University Grants Commission (UGC), which have emphasised structured mental health governance and its critical role in higher education institutions.

Key discussions areas of the event:

  • Institutional frameworks for mental health governance and policy formulation
  • Preventive, promotive, and responsive intervention models
  • Strengthening Wellness Centres, Counselling Cells, and Student Welfare systems
  • Defining the role and service delivery standards of mental health professionals
  • Standardisation and alignment of mental health policies across IITs
  • Formulation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for crisis management

The event witnessed participation from delegates across IITs, including Deans, faculty members, and mental health professionals. External advisors from leading institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh, Government Medical College and Hospital Chandigarh, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, King George's Medical University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IOP Kolkata), O P Jindal Global University, Mariwala Health Initiative, University of Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science were present, alongside a Supreme Court advocate and subject experts.

The discussions underscored the need for a student-centric, inclusive, and implementable policy architecture that ensures consistent support systems across campuses.With the launch of this policy and the structured consultations under SAHYOG 2.0, IIT Roorkee has set a precedent for coordinated mental health governance within India’s premier technical institutions. The initiative signals a shift toward institutional accountability, standardised protocols, and strengthened campus support systems in the higher education sector.

 

 

 

 

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