We need to build resilient minds: IIT Indore Director on student mental wellbeing

Student wellbeing needs a collective approach across higher education campuses, IIT Indore Director Dr Suhas S Joshi said as a two-day workshop on positive mental health, resilience and wellbeing concluded at the institute.Joshi called for a sustained institutional effort to build resilient students, create connected campuses and strengthen systems supporting mental health.Speaking at the conclusion of the workshop, he said the key learnings should not remain limited to discussions and activities but should be translated into long-term institutional practices promoting positive mental health, resilience and holistic student wellbeing. Two-day capacity building workshop on positive mental health at IIT Indore (Photo: X/IITIndore) FROM ACADEMIC SUCCESS TO WELLNESSTitled “Samvardhan: From Academic Excellence to Sustainable Wellness”, the two-day capacity-building workshop was organised by the Department of Higher Education, Union Ministry of Education, in collaboration with IIT Indore. The programme focused on helping higher education institutions create healthier, more supportive and connected campus environments.It brought together institutional leaders, faculty members, student affairs professionals, mental health experts, wardens, students and counsellors. Participants shared experiences and discussed practical ways to improve student support systems. The sessions covered areas including psychiatry and mental health, nutrition, healthy lifestyles, Indian Knowledge Systems, learning disabilities and student support.WHAT CAMPUSES CAN DO BETTERThe first day focused on the psychosocial challenges faced by students in higher education institutions.Sessions explored the importance of robust institutional policies, wellbeing initiatives, social belonging, connected campuses and early identification of students who may need support.Participants also discussed life-skills-based peer mentoring and ways to prevent lifestyle-related health conditions among students.The second day moved towards practical exercises. Participants learnt about identifying warning signs, supporting students with specific learning disabilities, preventing substance use and strengthening hostel ecosystems.Discussions also covered collaborative living spaces and mentoring networks that can help students feel more connected on campus. The session was titled, 'Samvardhan: From Academic Excellence to Sustainable Wellness' (Photo: X/IITIndore) 94 PARTICIPANTS, 21 INSTITUTIONSThe workshop concluded with participating institutions developing wellbeing indicators, recommendations and action plans that can be taken forward on their campuses.The programme was organised under the Teacher Connect Programme of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP) for the central and western regions.A total of 94 participants from 21 higher education institutions took part. Institutions from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh were represented.The workshop used expert interactions, hands-on activities, group brainstorming, recapitulation and feedback to encourage collaborative learning.The focus now, as Joshi emphasised, is on taking these discussions beyond the workshop and building them into everyday institutional practices that support students' mental health and overall wellbeing.- EndsPublished By: Princy ShuklaPublished On: Aug 31, 2026 19:09 IST