Greeva Garg–
Published on August 02, 2021 at 2:54 PM
Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Delhi Government and the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), in a plea alleging non-implementation of mental health laws in schools and colleges.
The petition was filed concerning the mental health of the students. The introduction of the mental health establishments will be helpful for the diagnosis and assessment of mental health issues of students.
The bench comprising of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh directed the Delhi Government and IHBAS to respond on the matter until the next hearing of the case listed on September 16.
The PIL was filed by the father of a 17-year-old girl Devina Singh, seeking implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017.
“Several empirical studies have found a direct correlation between academic stress and sound mental health. The issues like stress, anxiety, fear, panic, depression, insomnia, isolation, disconnectedness, loneliness, and trauma, were left unattended and unaddressed have a bearing on the outlook and performance of students,” the petition reads.
“Schools and Universities need to take a lead role in the development of an integrated system of student mental health care,” the plea added.
The petitioner also cited the RTI response received from the Delhi Government’s Additional Director, school health scheme, Directorate General of health services, stating that “No specific steps with respect to the implementation of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, at school level, have been taken.”
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