‘It should be a zero-suicide batch’: IIT Madras pushes wellbeing-first campus approach

What happened:
IIT Madras on Friday outlined a series of student-focused initiatives aimed at building a safer, happier and more inclusive campus, during an institute-wide event titled ‘Towards a Happy, Safe and Secure Campus’.

Key voices:
Addressing students, IIT Madras Director Prof V. Kamakoti stressed that suicide prevention must be treated as a shared institutional responsibility. Reinforcing this message, Student Ombuds G. Thilakavathi, IPS (Retd.), said the goal should be a “zero suicide batch”, urging students to seek help and not view present challenges as permanent.

“Whatever stress you are going through, whatever problem you are facing, all that can be solved. The best is yet to come,” Thilakavathi told students, encouraging resilience and confidence.

Why it matters:
The focus on mental health and student safety comes amid heightened national attention on student suicides at higher education institutions, including recent cases at IITs. The event signals a shift toward trust-based systems, proactive engagement, and stronger grievance redressal mechanisms on campus.

What IIT Madras is emphasising:

• Early intervention and suicide prevention

• Strengthening counselling and support systems

• Building trust between students and administration

• Creating an inclusive and non-intimidating academic environment

The big picture:
As premier institutions face growing scrutiny over student wellbeing, IIT Madras’ emphasis on a “zero suicide” goal reflects a broader push to move beyond academic excellence alone and prioritise mental health as a core part of campus life.