Odisha HC Seeks Report on Mental Health Measures in Educational Institutions

The Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to submit a status report on steps being taken to promote mental health awareness among students in schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions.

A division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Chittaranjan Dash, hearing a PIL, asked the state to file an affidavit within three weeks. The case has been posted for October 15.
The petitioners sought effective implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, along with stronger counselling, suicide-prevention programmes, rehabilitation facilities and mental health services at the grassroots level.

The PIL cited NCRB data showing 5,791 suicides in Odisha in 2024, with 3,287 cases (56.8%) linked to family problems. It also highlighted that Odisha has only one government-run mental health rehabilitation centre, at SCB Medical College and Hospital, with a capacity of 150 patients.
The petition further alleged shortages of trained mental health professionals at PHCs and CHCs and claimed that district Mental Health Review Boards, constituted in 2021, have remained non-functional.