Enhancing Student Well-being Through Innovative Support Systems

The mental health of college students has become an increasingly important focus for educational institutions. With the pressures of academic performance, social adjustment, and personal growth, many students face significant challenges that can impact their well-being. In response, colleges are developing new initiatives to provide comprehensive mental health support. This article explores some of these initiatives, with a special focus on programs at Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR).

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The Peer Support Program at LSR

Student volunteers are selected through an application process followed by interviews, supervised by faculty coordinators, to conduct one-on-one sessions addressing these problems. These peer supporters, with their relatively greater experience in the college’s academic and non-academic systems, help students function better during difficult times. They have also organized workshops on time management, body image concerns, procrastination, and stress management.

A notable feature of the program is “Spaces,” an informal setting where participants share their experiences and difficulties with group members, fostering discussion and cooperative learning. If a student presents with clinical issues beyond the scope of the program—such as high degrees of distress, self-harm, sexual and physical abuse, or substance abuse—they are referred to trained and qualified mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and clinical psychologists affiliated with hospital settings. Sessions are conducted by appointment and are held during college working days and hours (8:45 am to 5:30 pm).

The National Service Scheme

The National Service Scheme (NSS) at LSR addresses several urgent social issues through its community outreach programs. It has built fruitful collaborations with over 22 NGOs, established five in-house projects, and developed a volunteer base of over 700 students. The past year has been particularly productive.

NSS LSR continued its initiative to interact with children from less privileged sections of society by organizing Kala—an interactive, educational art competition and workshop for children from NSS LSR’s NGO collaborations.

In November 2018, NSS-LSR hosted the annual NSS Diwali Mela, Noor, a celebration showcasing the innovative skills of students and NGOs, including a wide range of student entrepreneurs and NGO-made products.

The Tihar Programme began on January 1st with a four-day Clutch and Folder Making Module for the women inmates of Tihar Jail. An Expressive Arts Intervention Module was also conducted.

Gender sensitization workshops were held at NSS-LSR affiliated NGOs, including Kriti, Hope, Khusbhu, Shanti Sanyog, Vidya, and Aarohan, in collaboration with the Women’s Development Cell, LSR. These workshops covered themes such as Gender Identities, the Idea of Consent, Safe and Unsafe Touch, and Menstrual Health. NSS-LSR also organized its annual youth convention, Nexus 2019, with the theme “Celebrating Women.”

Conclusion

The initiatives at LSR highlight the importance of comprehensive mental health support systems in colleges. Programs like the Peer Support Program and the National Service Scheme demonstrate how institutions can foster a supportive environment for students. By addressing both social and mental health needs, colleges can help students navigate their academic journeys while maintaining their well-being. As more institutions adopt similar approaches, the future of college mental health support looks promising.

These initiatives not only improve campus safety and mental health but also empower students to thrive both academically and personally. By prioritizing mental health and providing robust support systems, colleges can create a nurturing environment that promotes overall student success.

The technology was developed by Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh and his team from the Department of Chemical Engineering in IIT Kanpur.

To facilitate its widespread adoption, IIT Kanpur has signed a technology transfer MoU with ScaNxt Scientific Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

The pact was signed in the presence of Prof. Raja Angamuthu, Associate Dean of Research & Development, IIT Kanpur and Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh (Inventor).

Device

The Soil Nutrient Sensing Device is a compact, smartphone-compatible innovation that provides real-time soil nutrient analysis, addressing the critical gap in timely soil testing for Indian farmers, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Traditionally reliant on district laboratories, farmers often face delays in receiving soil health assessments, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Portability

Designed for portability and ease of use, the device can assess multiple soil parameters simultaneously, storing data on a cloud server, with a single charge supporting up to 250 tests, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

This pioneering device leverages Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy to deliver instant soil health insights directly to a smartphone, eliminating the need for chemical reagents and complex testing processes.

By enabling precise nutrient management, the technology has the potential to transform agriculture, enhancing crop productivity, reducing fertilizer overuse, and contributing to both improved farmer incomes and environmental sustainability, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

By providing instant, reagent-free testing with Near Infrared Spectroscopy, this technology empowers farmers to make informed decisions, optimize fertilizer use, and boost productivity, he said.

Through our collaboration with ScaNxt Scientific Technologies, we aim to transform Indian agriculture and take this pioneering innovation to global markets, supporting the vision of sustainable farming practices, he said.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh and his team for this groundbreaking development, he said.

Inventor

Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh (inventor) said their development is a culmination of years of research and hard work aimed at addressing the real challenges farmers face in soil health assessment.

It’s truly gratifying to see this innovation, which offers immediate and accuratesoil analysis, now being transferred to ScaNxt Scientific Technologies for broader adoption, said Prof Jayant Kumar of IIT Kanpur.

This device not only empowers farmers with instant insights but also supports the creation of a national soil stack, aiding in better fertilizer management and promoting sustainability, he said.

I am excited to witness the positive impact it will have, both on the ground and at the policy level, as it contributes to a more sustainable and efficient agricultural landscape, he said.

Their collaboration with IIT Kanpur through the joint MoU will allow us to advance soil testing technologies further, integrating micro and secondary nutrient analysis into our BhuParikshak device, he said.

By combining NIR Spectroscopy, IoT, and AI/ML, we aim to provide farmers with even more precise and actionable data to optimize nutrient management and drive sustainable agricultural growth, he said.

Market and collaboration

The Indian soil testing equipment market, currently valued at approximately USD 114.43 million as of 2024, is set for significant expansion.

Driven by the increasing demand for efficient agricultural productivity solutions and the need for climate resilience, this market is projected to reach USD 145.83 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.08%.

This collaboration sets the stage for a transformative shift in soil health management, equipping farmers with immediate, data-driven insights and promoting sustainable agricultural practices both in India and globally.

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