MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING NEEDS OF UNDERGRADUATES IN THE CONTEXT OF VIOLENT UNIVERSITY SUB CULTURE

Abstract

Politicized state universities in response to the downsizing welfare in a shrinking economy, class polarization of state and private sector university clientele appear to have constructed a violent sub-culture downgrades the teaching-learning experience of undergraduates. The objective of this study was to capture the mental health status of undergraduates at the so-called ‘rag season’ while analysing their behaviour seeking psychological counselling services. Questionnaire covered 848 fresh students, data of 137 students sorted psychological counselling services, 10 interviews with students brought primary data analysed using mixed method approach. Depression (38%), stress and anxiety disorders (22.6%) are the most common mental health issues reported. About 14% experienced suicidal ideation while 45.9% associated the distress with ragging and coercive student politics. Psychiatric illness and suicidal ideation among students show a relationship with ragging and other form of violence (P=0.000 & P=0.019). Thematic categories proposed that ragging and peer induced violence downgrade the teachinglearning experience significantly and for a minority of cases the damage is permanent.