Chandigarh: Following the death of a final-year MBBS student at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, the institution has announced measures aimed at strengthening student welfare and mental health support on campus.GMCH director-principal Dr Ravneet Kaur said the college already has a student drop-in centre and conducts regular counselling sessions every Wednesday through its psychiatry department. These initiatives were reinforced following a similar incident reported at the institution last month.“To help reduce stress among students, the college also conducts wellness programmes and has approached the Ministry of Ayush for the appointment of a dedicated yoga instructor. Regular yoga sessions are being organised through the physiology department,” Dr Kaur said.Addressing student engagement and isolation, Dr Kaur emphasized plans to strengthen the college’s existing mentor-mentee program to build better rapport between faculty and students. The institution also aims to encourage direct, meaningful interactions to address issues surrounding student isolation and excessive screen time on devices such as tablets and smartphones.Reflecting on the profile of the deceased student, institutional representatives noted that the student was nearing the completion of their MBBS degree, possessed an exemplary academic background—having secured a top rank in NEET (in 50s ) to gain admission—and actively participated in co-curricular activities, including representing the institution in a pediatrics quiz. Sources inform that the student came from a supportive family background, with no prior indications of academic or family distress reported.While police authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, Dr Ravneet reiterated the institution’s steadfast commitment to continually evaluating and strengthening its mental health, academic, and pastoral support services for all students.GMCH support systemStudent counseling: The institution operates a student drop-in center and holds regular counseling sessions every Wednesday, managed by the psychiatry departmentStress management & yoga: The institution conducts stress-relief programmes and has reached out to the ministry of ayush to request a dedicated yoga instructor for regular sessions organized by the physiology departmentMentorship strengthening: Efforts are underway to strengthen the existing mentor-mentee programme to improve rapport and guidanceIncreased interaction: Plans are being made to encourage direct, regular interactions with students to address issues related to isolation and screen time, including habits like viewing content on tablets, phones, and streaming services.
