Maharashtra Launches Manas-Sutra To Train Teachers In Student Mental Health

The Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department has launched a statewide initiative, ‘Manas-Sutra’, to train teachers across colleges and universities in supporting student mental health.

The initiative aims to equip faculty members with the skills to identify early signs of mental stress, emotional insecurity and behavioural changes among students, enabling timely guidance and appropriate support.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil unveiled the official poster of the initiative at Mantralaya in Mumbai on Monday. The programme has been designed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places emphasis not only on students’ intellectual development but also on their emotional, social and ethical growth.

The initiative seeks to move beyond providing counselling only after a problem arises and instead promote preventive measures and institution-wide mental health support systems. As teachers interact with students regularly, they are often among the first to notice changes in their behaviour or emotional well-being.

Under the initiative, faculty members will be trained to recognise early indicators of psychological distress, respond with empathy and guide students towards professional assistance when required. The Maharashtra State Faculty Development Academy (MSFDA), Pune, has developed the statewide programme for teachers from universities and colleges across Maharashtra.

The initiative will adopt a multidisciplinary approach combining psychological concepts, guidance and counselling, crisis management, digital well-being, inclusive practices and elements of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). The programme aims to strengthen teachers’ ability to identify early signs of stress and emotional vulnerability among students.

It will also focus on developing systems for mentoring, counselling, peer support and referrals, while providing practical strategies for crisis identification, immediate response and post-intervention care. Another key objective is to encourage educational institutions to create emotionally safe, inclusive and discrimination-free campuses.

A state-level faculty development programme under ‘Manas-Sutra’ will be held at the Maharashtra State Faculty Development Academy in Pune from August 10 to 12, 2026. The programme will be conducted for faculty members from universities and colleges across the state.

The launch of ‘Manas-Sutra’ is a significant step towards addressing the growing concern of student mental health in Maharashtra. By training teachers to identify early signs of distress and provide timely guidance, the initiative aims to promote a supportive and inclusive academic environment.

This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of students in Maharashtra, and it is a step in the right direction towards creating a more holistic and supportive education system.

The success of ‘Manas-Sutra’ will depend on the active participation of teachers, educational institutions and the government. It is essential to ensure that the initiative is implemented effectively and that the training provided to teachers is of high quality.

In conclusion, the launch of ‘Manas-Sutra’ is a welcome move, and it is expected to make a significant difference in the lives of students in Maharashtra. By prioritizing student mental health and well-being, the initiative aims to create a more supportive and inclusive academic environment, which is essential for the overall development of students.