IIT-Kharagpur forms committee to look into ways to prevent campus suicides

It will also identify key challenges that hinder the resolution of mental health issues on campus and evaluate the effectiveness of existing initiatives.

IIT-Kharagpur on Saturday announced the formation of a 10-member committee to explore ways to ensure the well-being of students, following four reported suicides in hostels over the past year.

The committee includes psychologists, legal experts, former police personnel, educationists, counsellors, and alumni, the institute said in a statement. It is expected to submit its report within three months.

“The committee will assess the factors (primary, secondary, or tertiary) that are affecting the mental health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff of the institute,” the statement said.

It will also identify key challenges that hinder the resolution of mental health issues on campus and evaluate the effectiveness of existing initiatives. Based on this, it will recommend additional steps to strengthen the mental health ecosystem for students, staff, and faculty at IIT-Kharagpur.

“The committee is expected to interact with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the inclusive composition of the campus community,” an IIT-Kharagpur spokesperson said. “We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for the entire campus community,” she added.

The announcement comes in the wake of four student suicides:

Md Asif Qamar, a third-year civil engineering student, was found dead in his hostel room on May 4.
Aniket Walkar, a civil engineering and naval architecture student, died on April 20.
Shaon Malik, a third-year undergraduate student, was found dead in his hostel room on January 12.
Devika Pillai, a fourth-year student of biotechnology and biochemical engineering, died by suicide in June last year.
The formation of this committee marks a renewed institutional push to address the growing mental health concerns among students and foster a more supportive academic environment.