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Patna University has launched a six-day online course focused on mental health, emotional well-being, and life skills in higher education.
Patna University has launched a six-day online course on mental health, well-being and life skills in higher education, highlighting the need for stronger support systems for students and teachers.
The programme was launched Monday by the UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), Patna University, in collaboration with Magadh Mahila College (MMC). It will run through Saturday.
During the inaugural session, Salman Akhtar, emeritus professor of psychiatry associated with the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, stressed the importance of teachers understanding students’ emotional and psychological needs. He also highlighted empathy as an important part of the teacher-student relationship.
Course coordinator and clinical psychologist Nidhi Singh said the programme aims to address the mental health and emotional challenges faced by students and teachers.
UGC-MMTTC director Atul Aditya Pandey and MMC principal N P Verma emphasized the need for supportive and inclusive academic environments. They also called for stronger faculty development to help institutions respond to emerging psychosocial concerns.
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The opening day included sessions on trauma-informed approaches, self-efficacy skills, and institutional ecosystems for positive mental health.
The programme has drawn 160 participants from 21 states, including professors, doctors, librarians, and other academic professionals. Participants come from disciplines such as psychology, medicine, law, management, engineering, and humanities.
The course is aimed at giving higher education professionals practical knowledge to better understand mental health concerns and create more supportive learning environments.