Satya Pal Jain Releases Student Mental Health Survey Report
Ketawa report finds a gap between mental health awareness and help-seeking among university students, highlighting the need for accessible campus support.
- 93.5% recognise mental health’s importance
- Only 15.9% consulted mental health professionals
- Stigma and access barriers discourage help-seeking
- Report calls for supportive and accessible campuses
GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 23rd Oct: Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, Senior Advocate and former Member of Parliament, released a student mental health survey report prepared by Ketawa – Centre for Behaviour Change in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
Titled “Beyond Awareness: What University Students Know, Feel and Do About Mental Health,” the report examines students’ awareness, attitudes and help-seeking behaviour, highlighting the need to make mental health support more accessible across educational institutions.
The survey found that 93.5% of students recognised mental health as being as important as physical health. However, only 15.9% reported having consulted a mental health professional. The findings also showed that 43.1% of students did not know where to seek help, while 31% cited stigma or fear of judgement as a barrier. Only 36.2% were aware of mental health services available near them.
Releasing the report, Jain said student mental health deserved serious attention from families, educational institutions and society. He added that such studies could help institutions better understand students’ concerns and move beyond awareness towards practical, accessible and compassionate support.
Davesh Moudgil, advocate, former Mayor and member of the UT Chandigarh Administrators Advisory Council, highlighted the report’s recommendation for a whole-campus approach. This includes making support services more visible, encouraging open conversations, strengthening referral systems and equipping faculty members and peer networks to promote student well-being.
Dr Nidhi Jaswal, Founder and CEO of Ketawa – Centre for Behaviour Change, said awareness must translate into action. She emphasised that students should know where to seek help and feel safe accessing confidential, non-judgemental support.
The event was also attended by Prof. Kumool Abbi, Director of the Population Research Centre at Panjab University; Dr Gaurav Gaur, Associate Professor at the Centre for Social Work; and Dr Sukhbir Singh, Senior Research Analyst at the Population Research Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
The report calls for educational institutions to create environments where students can seek help without fear of stigma or judgement, making mental health support an integral part of campus life.
