Mental health and well-being is an integral part of holistic development. The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 has envisioned the aim of education to be holistic, including both cognitive and affective aspects. The policy has emphasised not only on learning based on developing cognitive competencies, but also skills, attitudes, and behaviours which will enable building character and creating holistic and skilled individuals, equipped with key 21st-century skills. This vision entails the need to promote mental health and well-being among students, which plays a prominent role in all aspects of an individual’s life. World Health Organization (WHO, 1948) clearly states that “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” WHO further states that mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.

UMMEED
https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/Draft_UMMEED_Guielines.pdf

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY
https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3bc88bb2c377261b0336312714b96fcfd/uploads/2025/04/20250507983470082.pdf

Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0) is India’s ongoing 60-day national initiative, launched by the Health & Education Ministries in October 2025, focused on preventing youth tobacco use through intensified awareness, enforcing Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) rules, strengthening laws (COTPA/PECA), expanding village initiatives, using social media, and providing cessation support to create a healthier, tobacco-free generation.
Key Goals & Strategies:
Awareness: Intensify campaigns on tobacco’s dangers for students and communities.
Enforcement: Ensure schools/colleges are tobacco-free zones (ToFEI) and enforce laws like COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act) & PECA (Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act).
Tobacco-Free Villages: Empower Panchayats to eliminate tobacco use at the community level.
Youth Engagement: Use social media (like MyGov) and digital platforms for campaigns, quizzes, and challenges.
Cessation Support: Offer counseling and support for youth wanting to quit.
Capacity Building: Train stakeholders (teachers, health workers, youth) for effective implementation.