Student suicides: Rights panel asks Odisha authorities, universities to strengthen student safety mechanisms

Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 (UNI) The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed state authorities and universities to strengthen mental-health support, counselling and safety mechanisms in educational institutions to help prevent suicides among students and youths. The direction came while disposing of a petition filed by rights activist Bulndaban Das Azad, who sought measures to prevent and reduce suicides among students, citing academic competition, examination pressure, parental and societal expectations and inadequate mental-health support. The petitioner had also sought effective implementation of Supreme Court guidelines, including appointment of counsellors, mental-health training, referral mechanisms and safety measures in educational institutions. The Commission…