The National Task Force (NTF) constituted by the Supreme Court to examine student mental health concerns and prevent suicides has visited 30 higher education institutions across 10 States since May 2025, officials said on Tuesday.

As part of its mandate, the panel has been conducting field visits and engaging with stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by students across diverse educational institutions and regions. In addition to the campus visits, the task force has held 25 stakeholder consultations aimed at developing a comprehensive and inclusive framework for improving student well-being.

According to officials, the consultations covered a wide range of issues, including the availability of mental health support systems in educational institutions, student suicides, gender-related concerns, caste-based discrimination, and the unique challenges faced by students belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.

The task force also deliberated on issues affecting students and faculty members with disabilities, the role of mental health organisations in providing support, and the institutional response to cases of student suicide. Law students were also included in the discussions to examine legal dimensions relating to student welfare and campus safety.

The Supreme Court had constituted the NTF in response to growing concerns over student suicides and mental health challenges in higher education institutions across the country.

The task force has been entrusted with identifying the key factors contributing to student suicides and reviewing the existing legal framework, policies, and institutional mechanisms designed to safeguard student welfare.

It has also been tasked with recommending reforms to strengthen accountability, improve preventive measures, and foster a more supportive and inclusive environment within educational institutions. The recommendations are expected to address systemic gaps while ensuring equitable access to support mechanisms for students from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

Through its nationwide field visits and consultations, the NTF aims to assess ground realities and formulate practical recommendations to help higher education institutions build safer, more inclusive, and mentally supportive campuses.