NLU Delhi: National Law University (NLU) Delhi is mourning the loss of another student, marking the second tragic incident of suicide at the institution within a month. The deceased has been identified as Shah Khushil Vishal. In response, the University has declared September 23 as a non-teaching day in his memory.
This follows the earlier suicide of Amrutavarshiny Senthil Kumar, a third-year student, who also passed away earlier this month.
NLU Delhi’s Response and Mental Health Initiatives
NLU Delhi Registrar, Prof. Ruhi Paul, in an interview with Bar & Bench, stressed that the well-being of students remains the University’s top priority. She highlighted several initiatives that have been introduced to support students’ mental health. These measures include the appointment of on-campus counsellors, a physician, and a nurse.
Additionally, students have 24/7 access to free mental health services via the online counseling platform, YourDost. Prof. Paul disclosed that the University’s mental health team, currently consisting of two counsellors, is being expanded to ensure better mental health support.
Prof. Paul also reassured the confidentiality of all counseling sessions and mentioned that NLU Delhi is consulting with leading psychiatrists to offer mental health services to both students and staff at no cost.
Proactive Measures for Student Well-being
In a continued effort to address mental health concerns, the University has formed a committee of senior faculty members. This committee is tasked with consulting various stakeholders to suggest and implement further measures to enhance the support system for students.
Support Resources for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the helpline below:
- iCall – 9152987821 (Mon—Sat, 10 AM—8 PM; available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, Kashmiri)
- Aasra – Providing emotional support for individuals and families in crisis, those dealing with mental health challenges, suicidal thoughts, or trauma following a suicide.
This tragic incident underscores the critical need for ongoing mental health awareness and support, not just at NLU Delhi but across all academic institutions.