New mental health policy for youth in Delhi to be launched on November 19

According to a PTI report, the Delhi government is set to launch a special mental health policy for children and youth, which will be implemented from November 19, 2026. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced this on Wednesday, November 11, after reviewing the policy. This new structural policy is not limited to students studying in schools or colleges but will also cover youth outside the formal education system. The objective of this initiative is to reach all children and youth up to the age of 29.

Under this proposed policy, CM SHRI schools, government and government-aided schools, private educational institutions, higher education institutions, as well as children with special needs will be included. The main purpose of this program is to create a supportive environment where children and youth can talk openly about their emotional and mental concerns without any fear, judgment, or social stigma.

According to a government statement, an important feature of this proposed policy is to make mental health a shared responsibility across the entire school environment. Under this policy, provisions for psychometric assessment of academic and non-academic staff, as well as transport personnel who come into contact with children, have also been reviewed.

Additionally, the government has prepared special handbooks to help adults understand and appropriately respond to the emotional needs of children. These guidebooks include constructive questions, practical exercises, and activities to promote emotional awareness and responsible engagement with children.

The formal launch of this significant policy will take place on November 19, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is expected to be present at this special event. Emphasizing the importance of emotional health in education, Education Minister Ashish Sood stated that we must look at education beyond just classrooms, textbooks, and examination results.

He further stated that every child deserves an environment where they feel safe, heard, and understood. Mental health should not be a conversation that only begins when a child is in trouble. The government wants to create an environment where children can express their feelings and seek help without any hesitation.

This proposed policy is part of the Delhi government's holistic education approach. It aims to prioritize confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being alongside academic performance. By extending its reach to youth not enrolled in schools or colleges, this policy also attempts to address mental health issues outside the formal education system.