The Orissa High Court directs the state government to submit a status report on mental health awareness programs in schools and colleges within three weeks
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Orissa High Court has sought a status report from the Odisha government on measures taken to promote mental health awareness in schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions across the state.
A division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Chittaranjan Dash, hearing a PIL filed by SK Sabir Ali and Rabeya Tabassum of Kataka and Sarita Barpanda of Bhubaneswar, directed the state government to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken within three weeks.
The bench observed that the PIL raised serious concerns over the need for comprehensive mental health awareness programmes in educational institutions. It also took note of reports indicating instances that raised concerns about the mental well-being of students and other sections of society.
“The Government cannot show any apathetic attitude in this regard,” the bench observed, directing that the matter be listed for further hearing on October 15.
The petitioners, represented by advocate Afraaz Suhail, sought effective implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, alleging deficiencies in the state’s mental healthcare system.
The PIL highlighted the need for adequate rehabilitation infrastructure, functional statutory authorities and Mental Health Review Boards, awareness programmes, specialised personnel at grassroots healthcare institutions, and appropriate state rules for implementing the Act.
According to the petition, Odisha recorded 5,791 suicides in 2024, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau. Of these, 3,287 cases, or 56.8%, were attributed to family problems, it said.
The petitioners argued that the figures underscored the need to strengthen mental health promotion, suicide prevention, counselling and psychosocial interventions, particularly for young people.
The PIL also highlighted an alleged shortage of rehabilitation facilities. It claimed that Odisha has only one government-run rehabilitation centre for persons with mental illness, at SCB Medical College and Hospital, with a capacity of 150 persons. Other districts, it alleged, do not have dedicated rehabilitation centres.
The petition further claimed that most primary health centres and community health centres lack qualified mental health professionals or personnel with adequate expertise to diagnose and manage mental illnesses, limiting access to timely treatment at the grassroots level.
Concerns were also raised over the functioning of Mental Health Review Boards. Although such boards were constituted in all districts in 2021, the petitioners alleged that they have remained non-functional since their inception and that their members have not been reconstituted or renewed as required under the Mental Healthcare Act.
The High Court’s direction comes against the backdrop of the PIL’s broader plea for strengthening mental healthcare infrastructure and ensuring greater awareness and access to mental health services across Odisha.