IIT-B gets counsellor to help students tackle stress

The authorities said with the placements still on and mid-term examination to start this month, an extra hand on board will help them reach out to more students

The Indian institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) has finally hired a third full-time counselor to help students deal with examination and placement worries.

Another interesting feature was placing counselors in hostel buildings on a rotational basis, so students can approach them easily. (File photo)

The authorities said with the placements still on and mid-term examination to start this month, an extra hand on board will help them reach out to more students.

With the latest hiring, the total number of in-house counselors at the campus goes up to three. Another expert has been working part time with the institute. “We’ve been on a look out for another full-time counselor for some time. We are hoping this will help students who need help,” said Soumyo Mukherji, dean, student affairs, IIT-B.

Mukherji said the management is also looking at other features that could benefit students.

In 2015, a student had committed suicide, while another student had tried to kill himself. Following these incidents, the management decided to bring about changes in the student support system on the campus, including workshops for freshers and allowing students’ families to live on campus.

Another interesting feature was placing counselors in hostel buildings on a rotational basis, so students can approach them easily. “It is nice to see counselors approaching students in hostels now, because that way more students are opening up about their problems. Living away from home is often the biggest reason for depression,” said a third-year electrical engineering student of the institute.

According to the statistics revealed by IIT-B authorities, the number of students visiting counselors has increased over the years. In 2015, on an average, 120-130 sessions were conducted by both the counselors.

“On an average, a counselor can meet 8-10 students daily. With three full-time counselors, more and more students will get to talk to counselors,” said Mukherji.