IIT Kharagpur Strengthens Mental Health Support, Plans Full-Time Psychiatrist Appointment
In light of growing mental health concerns and recent tragic incidents on campus, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur is taking critical steps to bolster student wellbeing. Director Suman Chakraborty has announced that the institute will soon be appointing a full-time psychiatrist dedicated to supporting students experiencing psychological distress or crisis.
This decision comes just a day after the Supreme Court expressed serious concerns about recurring student suicides across higher education institutions, specifically referencing cases at IIT Kharagpur and Sharda University in Greater Noida. The court has urged that investigations in both instances be carried out with urgency and care.
Supreme Court Questions Institute on Student Suicides
The tragic suicide of a fourth-year mechanical engineering student — the fourth such incident since January at IIT Kharagpur — prompted a strong response from the judiciary. A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan directly questioned the institute’s legal counsel, asking, “What is wrong with your IIT Kharagpur? Why are students committing suicide? Have you given a thought to this problem? What steps have you taken?”
In response to this judicial scrutiny, Director Chakraborty assured that the institute is proactively addressing the issue. “We are finalising the appointment of a full-time psychiatrist in the coming days,” he said, underlining that this move is just one part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting the emotional and mental well-being of students.
Mental Health Support Beyond Traditional Boundaries
Until now, mental health support at IIT Kharagpur has been managed through a round-the-clock counselling service staffed by part-time professionals, including faculty members trained in basic counselling techniques. While helpful, this system lacked the dedicated mental health expertise required for sustained emotional care.
To bridge this gap, the institute is also planning to launch a series of motivational lectures aimed at helping students cope with academic stress, personal anxieties, and life transitions. These lectures, according to the director, will provide students with tools for resilience, time management, and emotional balance.
Parental Collaboration and the SETU Program
Recognising the crucial role parents play in a student’s psychological health, IIT Kharagpur has made parental engagement a core part of its wellness strategy. The administration has committed to speaking with parents every alternate month to discourage the imposition of excessive pressure on students — particularly regarding internships and academic expectations.
During the institute’s recent induction program, Chakraborty reiterated this message, urging parents not to burden their children with unrealistic performance demands. He noted that IIT Kharagpur already facilitates ample internship opportunities and academic enrichment activities. “Parents should allow their children to grow within the supportive framework the institute provides,” he said.
The SETU (Support, Engage, Transform, Understand) initiative also continues to play a central role during the induction period. It acts as a bridge between students, faculty, and professional mental health support systems, focusing on early intervention, peer outreach, and open conversations about emotional wellness.
Fact-Finding Committee to Prevent Further Tragedies
In a bid to prevent further loss of life, a dedicated fact-finding committee has been set up to investigate the recent student deaths on campus. This team is also expected to recommend long-term structural and policy changes to ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur.
The institute is aware that a cultural shift is necessary — one that normalises mental health conversations and creates a compassionate, inclusive academic environment.
A Turning Point for Mental Health in Indian Higher Education
With four BTech students having died by suicide in their hostels since January 12 this year, IIT Kharagpur’s move to hire a full-time psychiatrist marks a turning point. It signals the beginning of a more serious, institutionalised approach to student mental health in India’s top engineering institutes.
As conversations about mental health continue to gain prominence nationwide, IIT Kharagpur’s renewed commitment to student wellness could serve as a model for others — reminding all stakeholders that academic success must never come at the cost of mental health.
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