National Task Force to address mental health concerns of students and prevent suicides in higher educational institutions

Information to the participants (Online Survey- Students)

We are members of the Supreme Court-appointed Task Force to examine mental health concerns and student suicides in higher educational institutions. We have been entrusted with the responsibility to make an attempt to understand these complex issues, analyse existing policies and frameworks, and recommend comprehensive measures for supporting student mental health and wellbeing in higher education institutions.

What is this study about?

This study is part of a national effort mandated by the Supreme Court of India to address the growing concern over student suicides in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) across the country. In its judgment dated 24 March, 2025, the Hon’ble Supreme Court acknowledged with deep concern the rising incidence of suicides among students in universities and professional colleges, including institutions of national importance. The Court constituted a National Task Force to investigate the causes, assess the institutional and systemic failures, and recommend concrete steps for improving student mental health and preventing suicides. This Task Force comprises experts from mental health, education, law, and social sciences.

A key part of the Task Force’s mandate is to consult multiple groups of stakeholders such as students, in higher education institutes, faculty, parents, mental health service providers, administrative heads of institutes and other stakeholders to understand multiple social, academic, psychological, and system related factors that contribute to student distress and suicides. On the whole, this exercise will help in arriving at actionable recommendations for improving student mental health and wellbeing in institutes of higher education, and these will be submitted as part of the report to the Supreme Court of India which has constituted this Task Force.

In the above context, this survey has been designed to understand the perspectives of students who are studying in colleges/universities about the mental health concerns and challenges students may experience during the course of their higher education study. The survey also provides you with an opportunity to offer your suggestions on what can be done in institutes of higher education to strengthen student support and for suicide prevention.

Why am I invited?

You are invited because you are a student currently studying in a higher educational institution. Your input will help the Task force in understanding the perspectives of students regarding the mental health and wellbeing of students in colleges /universities and gather suggestions to improve support system for students in these institutions.

Do I have to take part?

Your participation in this study is voluntary. There are no obligations, and you may decline to participate or withdraw at any time without any consequences.

What will happen to me if I take part in this study?

You will be required to answer a few questions in the survey. These questions cover areas such as the type of institute you are studying in, your perceptions about the campus- environment, your experiences and observations as a student in your campus including various committees, student mental health/counselling services, perceptions about your own challenges and difficulties and distress you may have experienced in recent times, the sources of support you have been able to use during such times as well as your suggestions on what can be done to strengthen student support mechanisms in higher education institutes in India.

How long it will take to participate?

The survey may take up to 30 minutes to complete.

What are the risks if I participate in this study?

There are minimal risks of participating in this survey. Some questions may touch upon sensitive or emotional topics, especially those related to your own level of distress. You may experience some emotional discomfort when responding to such questions. If this happens, you may want to take a break, engage in any distracting activity or talk to someone you trust to get the support you may need. However, in most cases, the emotional discomfort of answering this survey, is likely to be temporary. You may choose not to write anything in the open-text fields.

What are the costs and benefits of taking part in this study?

There is no financial cost or benefit to participating. However, your contribution will support the development of better mental health initiatives and policies for students in higher education institutes in India.

What happens to my personal data?

No personally identifying information such as your name, email ID, or phone number or institute name, is being collected in the survey. All the responses will be kept strictly confidential. Data will be stored securely in a server dedicated for the National Task Force, that would be maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Government of India and access to the data will be restricted only to authorized members of the Task Force through a log-in mechanism. The data used only for the purpose of the National Task Force, as stated earlier. The findings of the study will be reported without any personal information of individual participants.

What if I don’t want to participate or want to withdraw later?

You can refuse to continue & withdraw from the survey at any point without giving any reason.

Who is organizing the study?

This study is part of a collaborative effort by the National Task Force.

Who has reviewed the study?

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, NIMHANS, Bengaluru.

Declaration from the Task Force

Your participation is voluntary. All data will remain confidential and will be used only for the research being carried out by the National Task Force to produce a report as per the objectives set by the Supreme Court of India.