The National Wellbeing Conclave 2024 was organised successfully at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad on November 9th and 10th, 2024. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, the conclave brought together over 350 participants, including students, faculty and institutional leaders from more than 90 centrally funded higher educational institutions (HEIs) across India. The event centered on fostering positive mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing within academic settings, with a particular focus on developing a holistic, integrated approach to student wellness on campus.
Over the course of two days, the conclave featured a dynamic and enriching programme, including expert-led panel discussions, interactive sessions, hands-on workshops, and a dedicated exhibition on emerging best practices in promoting mental health on campus. The diverse range of activities provided a unique platform for institutions to present their innovative wellness initiatives, share emerging practices, and collaborate on building a more supportive and inclusive ecosystem for mental health in education. The key themes of the event included the promotion of mental and emotional wellbeing, the management of academic pressures, the role of technology and social media, and the importance of a healthy campus environment.
A central goal of the conclave was to engage participants in thoughtful dialogue around creating a sustainable culture of mental wellbeing within educational institutions. In addition to addressing the challenges students face in balancing academic demands, social pressures, and digital influences, the event most prominently highlighted the critical role of faculty, administration, and campus leadership in supporting student wellness.
The Conclave concluded with a rich set of key takeaways for participants, along with a comprehensive list of recommendations for the Ministry of Education. These recommendations, developed through extensive discussions and collaborative brainstorming, aim to guide policy development and support the scaling of mental wellness programmes across institutions of higher education in India.
The National Wellbeing Conclave 2024 has set an important precedent in advancing the national conversation on student wellbeing and mental health, marking a significant step towards building more resilient, supportive, and thriving academic communities across the country. The hope is to organise more such conclaves at the national as well as regional levels.
