The purpose of this policy is to outline the University's commitment to mental health support for students and to outline the action that the University will take to respond to concerns.

Motto: Fostering Psychological Wellness, Resilience, and Academic Excellence.

DPSRU is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and stigma-free environment that prioritizes the mental health and holistic well-being of all its students and staff. This policy applies to all students, faculty, and non-teaching staff within the university and is designed to ensure timely intervention, support, and protection against discrimination.

The policy is grounded in the following core principles as mandated by the Supreme Court of India:

1. Holistic Well-being: Address mental health as an integral part of overall well-being, encompassing academic, social, emotional, and physical aspects.
2. Early Identification & Intervention: Equip all stakeholders (students, faculty, staff) with the knowledge and skills to recognize warning signs and facilitate timely support.
3. Stigma Reduction: Actively work to create an open and non-judgmental environment where seeking mental health support is normalized.
4. Accessibility & Inclusivity: Ensure that mental health services are easily accessible, confidential, culturally sensitive, and inclusive of all diverse student populations.

The University shall establish the following dedicated structures:

a. University Wellness Team (UWT)

A dedicated UWT shall be immediately constituted under the leadership of a senior administrative official.

• Composition: Shall comprise a professional counsellor, a university medical officer, a senior faculty member (Dean/HOD), and student counsel president / member secretary.
• Role: The UWT is responsible for implementing mental health strategies, organizing regular awareness campaigns, conducting psychological first-aid training, and facilitating referrals to external mental health professionals.

b. Professional Counselling Services

The university shall appoint a full-time, professional counsellor who shall be available on campus during all operational hours.

• The counsellor shall maintain strict confidentiality for all individual sessions. Sensitive exceptions may only be made in cases where there is an immediate risk of harm to the individual or others.

c. Support for Students Facing Emotional, Psychological, or Mental Health Challenges

Prospective students are encouraged to disclose any disabilities, including severe or enduring mental health difficulties, during their application to the University for admission and accommodation. Such mental health conditions can be classified as disabilities for this purpose. This early disclosure initiates a dialogue regarding their support needs, increasing the likelihood of having appropriate support in place upon their enrolment. All staff members interacting with applicants should actively promote the early disclosure of additional needs to facilitate this important dialogue.

Admission Procedures

Flow chart for the reporting of mental health condition at the time of admission:

Admission officer → Chief Admission officer → Dean (Student Welfare) → Concerned HoDs / Director / Hostel wardens / University Wellness Team / Class Coordinator / Mentors.

Hostel Accommodation

Flow chart for the reporting of mental health condition at the time of accommodation:

Hostel wardens → University Wellness Team / Hostel Matron.

Supervisors / Mentors and Departmental Support

Supervisors, mentors and academic department staff play a pivotal role in recognizing signs of emerging difficulties, often indicated by significant changes in attendance patterns or academic performance. They may encourage students to seek appropriate support from University services or their general practitioners.

For students who do not yet have 'reasonable adjustments' in place, faculty mentors may recommend that students facing mental health difficulties provide appropriate evidence to mitigate poor academic performance, especially in assessments. In cases where emotional, psychological, or mental health difficulties hinder a student's effective pursuit of their study program, departmental staff may guide the student in considering options like requesting leave of absence or suspension of studies.

d. Confidential Reporting

A designated contact shall be nominated by the University Wellness Team to safeguard the student's privacy and confidentiality.

The University shall implement mandatory training programs for staff:

1. Mandatory Staff Training: All teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo mandatory training at least twice a year.
   • Content: Training shall be conducted by certified mental health professionals and cover psychological first-aid, identification of warning signs, response to self-harm, and established referral mechanisms.
2. Inclusivity and Sensitivity Training: All staff shall be adequately trained to engage with students from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds (including but not limited to SC/ST, OBC, EWS, LGBTQ+, and PwD) in a sensitive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner.

The University shall actively work to reduce academic and systemic pressure:

1. Academic Pressure Regulation: The University shall regulate academic pressure by ensuring a balanced curriculum and periodically reviewing examination patterns to avoid undue stress on ranks and scores.
2. Promotion of Holistic Development: The University shall prioritize extra-curricular activities, including sports, arts, and personality development initiatives, to cultivate a broader sense of identity among students beyond test scores.
3. Grievance Redressal and Protection:
   • The University shall establish robust, confidential, and accessible mechanisms for the reporting, redressal, and prevention of incidents involving sexual assault, harassment, ragging, and bullying on the basis of caste, class, gender, etc.
   • The designated Internal Committee / Authority shall take immediate action on complaints, provide psycho-social support to victims, and maintain zero tolerance for retaliatory actions. Immediate referral to trained mental health professionals must be ensured.
4. Career Counselling: Regular, structured career counselling services shall be provided for students and their parents or guardians by qualified counsellors to reduce unrealistic pressure and promote awareness of diverse career options.

The University shall establish clear protocols for managing mental health emergencies:

1. Crisis Response Protocol (CRP): A clear and immediate action plan must be established for responding to students exhibiting warning signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation.
   • The CRP must involve the UWT, define clear roles for reporting, immediate assessment, intervention, and follow-up, and ensure a safe environment by addressing access to means of self-harm.
2. Postvention Services: Comprehensive services must be provided in case of a suicide or attempt within the university community.
   • This includes providing immediate counselling and support services for affected students, faculty, and staff, offering grief counselling, and implementing measures to prevent contagion and promote healing.

The University shall ensure continuous quality improvement and compliance:

1. Annual Reporting: The institution shall maintain anonymised records and prepare an annual report indicating the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and mental health-related activities.
2. Submission: This annual report shall be submitted to the relevant regulatory authority (UGC, AICTE, or the Delhi Government Higher Education Department).
3. Review and Improvement: The UWT shall be tasked with regularly reviewing and updating the policy and services based on data and emerging best practices to ensure continuous improvement.

This policy underscores DPSRU's commitment to the mental well-being of its students. It outlines clear objectives, responsibilities, and strategies to create a supportive environment that addresses mental health concerns comprehensively and in accordance with legal requirements. By implementing this policy DPSRU aims to foster a culture of inclusivity and care that benefits all members of its academic community.