Mental Health Of Indian Students Abroad And Government's Response

In its response to the questions Raised by an MP, N. K. Premachandran, on the issue of mental health of students studying abroad, the government refused to answer the question. Questions about the mental health of students were left without any reply from the external ministry. The issue assumes significance; especially in the wake of reports on the deteriorating mental health of international students.

A recent study by the University of Birmingham, King’s College London and Imperial College London said that international postgraduate students had higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicides. Indian students studying abroad have also recently come up with complaints of mental health issues like reduction of contact, loneliness and unfamiliar and uncertain lifestyles.

Responding to the question of whether the government has any system to monitor Indian students abroad, it said that India Mission/post “encourages students to register with it.” This helps students to raise their issues and the heads visit and interact with students at universities regularly, it says. Students are heard through a variety of channels such as calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24×7, Helplines, Open Houses, and the MADAD portal. It said that the mission is always vigilant to address the crises faced by the students.

On the question about the issues faced by the students in Ukraine, the government said that nearly 18282 Indian nationals, predominantly medical students were repatriated by the Government of India under the “Operation Ganga” in the wake of the Ukraine Conflict. To address the challenges of students who returned from Ukraine, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has provided relaxation and special schemes allowing them to continue their studies in other countries.

However, though many students were accommodated in different countries by NMC’s relaxation policies, there are still students who returned to Ukraine to continue their studies. They also allege that despite their constant demand for state and central governments to transfer them to other countries to continue their studies, no action has been taken. There are also reports from Indian students in Ukraine that they are facing anger from a section of the Ukrainian locals who believe India supported Russia in its war against Ukraine, Time of India reported.