Haryana SAATH project: counsellors in 200 schools for student mental health

Haryana has set up SAATH, a school-based mental health support programme for students of Classes VI to XII, under which trained counsellors and teachers will work in 200 government schools to spot and respond to problems such as exam anxiety, depression, bullying and digital addiction. The programme was reported on Monday, 2 November 2026, and is led by Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare. The Health Department has trained 122 counsellors for the project, which it is running with the School Education Department.

For many students, the years from Class VI to XII bring board exams, competitive-exam pressure, friendships and conflicts, and growing time on phones and social media. Problems such as anxiety or depression often start in these years but are noticed late, if at all, because schools rarely have a trained person whose job is to watch for them. SAATH tries to change that by putting a clear system in place inside the school.

The programme works in layers, according to the reports. Class teachers, who see students every day, are asked to notice changes in behaviour or mood and record what they did in a class-wise register. Student ambassadors and a SAATH coordinator in each school raise awareness among classmates and guide students to the right staff member. Health Department counsellors and teachers with a psychology background then provide counselling and screening. Cases that need more help are referred to mental health professionals. This tiered model means a student does not have to walk into a counsellor's room alone to get noticed.

Haryana has done related work before. Under an earlier state initiative, 8,876 teachers had been trained as health and wellness ambassadors. SAATH builds on that by adding dedicated counsellors and a referral path.

For students and parents, the practical point is that help may now be available within the school itself in the 200 schools covered. Students who feel overwhelmed by exam pressure, bullying or screen habits can speak to their class teacher, the SAATH coordinator or the school counsellor. Outside school, the national Tele-MANAS helpline (14416) offers free mental health support at any hour.

Peepals calculation: With 122 trained counsellors for 200 schools, there are about 0.61 counsellors per school (122 ÷ 200 = 0.61), or roughly one counsellor for every 1.6 schools (200 ÷ 122 ≈ 1.64). This is why the programme leans on teachers and student ambassadors as the first line of support. Our calculation from the reported figures.

Short-term: Students in Classes VI to XII in the 200 selected government schools get a structured route to counselling, and teachers get a defined role in noticing distress early.

Long-term: If it works in these schools, the model could be extended to more schools in Haryana and help make mental health support a routine part of school life rather than a crisis response.

Who is affected: Students of Classes VI to XII in Haryana's government schools, their parents, class teachers, school counsellors and the state's health and education departments.

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