As examination pressure intensifies at Panjab University (PU), its glaringly understaffed mental health support system is buckling under demand. The university's lone part-time mental health counsellor has conducted a staggering 46 individual counselling sessions since the beginning of November, with the overwhelming majority involving students seeking help for the first time.
A Surge in First-Time Seekers Highlights Systemic Strain
The data reveals a clear and concerning upward trend. In November alone, 23 one-to-one sessions were held, and of these, 21 were with first-time visitors. The pattern continued into December, where the tally had already reached 23 sessions by mid-month, with 20 fresh cases. This sharp increase in new students approaching the service points directly to mounting academic pressure as exams loom.
Students seeking support have cited a range of stressors, including intense worry over internal assessments, academic backlogs, and uncertainty about their future. A common fear expressed is that one poor semester could irreparably derail their career plans. Additionally, many students residing in hostels reported feelings of isolation and emotional strain, struggling to cope with academic demands while being away from their family support systems.
Institutional Failure: A Sanctioned Post Remains Vacant
Despite repeated alarms raised about student well-being, Panjab University continues to operate with just one part-time counsellor. This is in stark contrast to the administration's own assurances and the fact that a second counsellor post was sanctioned months ago. Officials had claimed the appointment process was finalized, yet the campus still lacks adequate professional staffing to address the mental health emergency.
The current counselling rush follows distressing incidents on campus, including a recent suicide attempt by a hostel resident. These events triggered urgent calls from both faculty and student bodies for a robust, full-time counselling mechanism. In response to the crisis, PU did issue an advisory urging students to seek help during the examination period. However, the institutional capacity has failed to match the growing awareness and need.
Student Leaders Warn Administration, Cite Guidelines
The Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) President, Gaurav Veer Sohal, has strongly criticized the administration for "playing with students' mental health." He referenced UGC guidelines and Supreme Court directives that mandate robust student counselling systems in universities. Sohal confirmed that a memorandum demanding the immediate creation of a full-time counsellor position has been submitted, emphasizing that PU cannot rely on stopgap arrangements when students are visibly and profoundly struggling.
With the examination season in full swing and a new semester approaching, the almost exclusive reliance on first-time visits in November and December underscores a system stretched to its breaking point. The trend indicates that while more students are overcoming stigma to seek help, the university's framework is woefully inadequate to provide sustained, long-term support. The situation at Panjab University serves as a critical case study in the urgent need for Indian educational institutions to prioritize and properly fund mental health infrastructure.
