Panjab University's Mental Health Infrastructure Gap: 16,000 Students Left Without Full-Time Professional Support

Panjab University, with an enrollment of nearly 16,000 students, operates without a single full-time mental health counselor, relying exclusively on two part-time professionals to address psychological support needs across its campus. This deficiency emerges against the backdrop of recent University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines that mandate robust, accessible mental health frameworks within higher education institutions. The UGC's proposed regulations explicitly call for compulsory institutional mental health support systems, positioning Panjab University's current staffing model as critically non-compliant with emerging national standards. The reliance on part-time counselors raises significant concerns regarding service continuity, crisis intervention capacity, and the depth of support available to a large student population navigating academic pressures and personal challenges. This structural gap not only undermines student welfare but also exposes institutional vulnerabilities in meeting regulatory expectations. The situation warrants immediate administrative review to align resources with both student needs and regulatory mandates, ensuring Panjab University fulfills its duty of care while maintaining compliance with evolving higher education governance frameworks.