The Gujarat government has introduced new regulations requiring secondary and higher secondary schools to establish mental health support systems for students in Classes 9 to 12. The measures aim to address academic stress, emotional distress and suicide risks by making student well-being a formal responsibility of schools.

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The provisions have been introduced under the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Regulations, 1974, and apply to schools affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB). According to a state government release, the framework follows Supreme Court guidelines and draws on the UMMEED guidelines developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

Under the new rules, every school offering Classes 9 to 12 must establish a School Wellness Team at the beginning of each academic year. The principal will lead the team, which will include teachers, a School Management Committee representative, a non-teaching staff member and two student peer leaders known as “Mano-Mitra”. The teams will be trained to identify signs of emotional distress and respond to emergencies.

Schools with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker trained in child and adolescent mental health. Schools with fewer than 100 students must arrange formal referrals to external mental health professionals and services, including community health centres, the District Mental Health Programme and Tele-MANAS.

The regulations also require additional mentoring and counselling during stressful periods such as board examinations, result announcements and transitions between school levels. Schools must provide confidential channels for students to seek help and display relevant helpline numbers and wellness team contact details.

To reduce unhealthy academic pressure, schools will be prohibited from separating students based on marks, publicly humiliating them or comparing them in ways that cause emotional distress. They must promote activities such as yoga, meditation, art, music, dance, gardening and sports to support well-being.

All teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo training by certified mental health professionals at least twice a year. Schools must also establish procedures for psychological first aid, identifying warning signs, responding to self-harm and referring students for appropriate care.

The framework requires confidential grievance mechanisms for complaints involving bullying, cyberbullying, ragging, sexual harassment and discrimination. Schools that fail to act appropriately despite being aware, or reasonably expected to be aware, of a serious risk may face disciplinary or legal action under applicable laws.

A district-level monitoring committee headed by the District Collector will oversee implementation, review complaints and serious incidents, and recommend corrective measures. The rules also call for regular career guidance to help students explore educational, vocational and entrepreneurship opportunities.