Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for independent and credible student grievance redressal committees and anti-harassment cells in every educational institution so that incidents such as the one that occurred at Anjarakandy Dental College in Kannur doesn’t occur again.
The suicide of the BDS student is deeply sorrowful and a matter of grave concern, it said.
Educational institutions must mandatorily implement mental health screening and regular counselling. Teachers must receive regular sensitisation training to improve their psychological approach and communication methods with students, IMA said in a statement here on Tuesday. Anonymous complaint mechanisms and prompt responses to such complaints must be ensured.
Teachers should be able to provide care and guidance to students just as parents would. Educational institutions should consider it their prime responsibility to protect the mental health of students and to help them grow their self-confidence, alongside their academic growth. Any form of psychological harassment of students, or their humiliation is unacceptable and cannot be condoned, IMA said
IMA has suggested that a mentor system be established for every student so that their academic and mental health issues can be identified and treated at an early stage. It has also suggested that colleges ensure timely communication with parents and that crisis management protocols for rapid intervention in serious situations are implemented across all institutions.
