NIMHANS Launches Digital Course to Train Educators on Student Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru has rolled out a free online certificate course aimed at training teachers and institutional staff to recognize and handle student mental health issues. Unveiled through the NIMHANS Digital Academy, the initiative seeks to establish a network of student wellbeing ambassadors across higher education institutions and schools.

Announced on World Mental Health Day, the three-month curriculum addresses a critical gap in campus support systems by equipping educators to spot early signs of psychological distress and facilitate timely referrals. Officials stated that the programme directly supports the execution of Karnataka's student mental health policy for higher education frameworks.

The inaugural batch will accommodate up to 350 participants. Applications are open until October 30, with formal instruction scheduled to begin in November. Enrollment is restricted to institutional nominees who have at least three years of active service remaining, ensuring that trained personnel remain within their respective academic communities for a substantial duration.

The curriculum is open to faculty members teaching any subject, alongside hostel wardens, deans, and designated student welfare officers. The self-paced syllabus spans 12 to 15 hours of instruction, incorporating video modules, reading materials, quizzes, and practical assignments delivered entirely online.

Course coordinators emphasized that the training does not qualify participants to function as professional therapists or counselors. Instead, the syllabus focuses on foundational competencies, including recognizing anxiety and depression, reducing social stigma around psychological care, encouraging students to seek help, and supporting institutional suicide prevention protocols.

Institute administrators noted that the pilot cohort will be evaluated closely to measure learning outcomes and engagement levels. Follow-up modules are already under consideration to assist participating faculty in applying their training effectively within their home campuses as the institute expands its public mental health outreach.