Just In
- 1 hr ago New Book ‘Kathmandu Chronicle: Reclaiming India-Nepal Relations’ To Shed Light On Geopolitical Uncertainties
- 5 hrs ago Russian Influencer Starves His Newborn To Death With Sunlight Diet, Know Dos And Don’ts Of This Diet
- 8 hrs ago Mahavir Jayanti 2024: Date, Time, History, Celebrations And Teachings Of Lord Mahavir In Jainism
- 9 hrs ago Parineeti Chopra Saree Looks: Check Amar Singh Chamkila Actor's Regal Fashion Statements
Don't Miss
- Movies Bhagya Lakshmi Star Maera Mishra To Get ENGAGED To Beau Rajul Yadav, Her Dreamy Proposal Will Make You Go Aww
- Sports Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd T20I LIVE Updates: Current Weather Update, Match Starts at 7:30 pm PST in Rawalpindi
- News India Vs Pakistan Series Can Be A Booster To Test Cricket: Rohit Sharma; Shahid Afridi Backs Him
- Finance Rs 17.50/Share Dividend: Tata Mid Cap To Consider Dividend On April 29, LIC Stake 9.88%
- Automobiles Ola Electric Hits New Milestone – 500th Service Centre Opened In Kochi
- Education Railway RPF Recruitment 2024; Apply Online for 4660 Post Vacancies @rpf.indianrailways.gov.in
- Technology Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Under Rs 5,000: CMF Buds Pro, Redmi Buds 5, Realme Buds Air 5, and More
- Travel Journey From Delhi To Ooty: Top Transport Options And Attractions
Depression Can Be Classified As Serious Illness In Context Of COVID-19 Pandemic: Gujarat HC
Depression can be classified as a serious illness, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gujarat High Court has observed while setting aside the cancellation of registration and admission of an engineering student by a government college for not appearing for requisite exams due to depression and suicidal thoughts.
The court issued the order on August 31 and a copy of it was made available on Thursday.
What Is Gauchais Reaction, The Art Of Subconsciously Mirroring A Person?
The academic performance review committee of the Surat-based Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) in October 2020 cancelled the registration and admission of the first-year B Tech (Bachelor of Technology) student, for not earning 25 credits needed for getting promoted to the next semester.
The student challenged this in the HC on the ground that he had suffered from "severe depressive episodes with suicidal ideation", which started in January 2020 and peaked in May-June last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, which is why he could not appear for the examination.
"In the facts and circumstances of the case and more particularly in the context of the currency of the pandemic period, the depressive state of mind and the depression created in the petitioner student, can be classified as serious illness," the court of Justice N V Anjaria observed.
The depressive cycle which the petitioner suffered was during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic itself. It was a period of widespread despondency, the court noted.
It is reasonable to believe that the situation brought about by the pandemic created an adverse effect on the tender mind of the petitioner, who disengaged himself from the studies, it further said.
"The ground advanced by the petitioner could be viewed as genuine as there is nothing to disbelieve the same. The stand of the respondent Institute to doubt is insensitive and departs from the facts stated in the letter of the parents fortified by the certificate of a doctor. The reason given by the petitioner has to be appreciated in the special circumstance of the pandemic period," the HC observed in its order.
The court, in its interim order on April 23, 2021, allowed the petitioner to appear for the supplementary examination in May 2021, which he passed to secure the requisite credits to be promoted to the next semester.
"The reason given by the petitioner has to be appreciated in the special circumstance of the pandemic period. It is the very reason of depressive tendencies developed in the mind of the petitioner during the pandemic which prevented him from applying on the medical ground under the said Regulation (of the institute that requires a student to apply prior to the last day of examination if unable to take the exam on the medical ground)," it said.
Apart from cancelling the registration and admission of the petitioner, the institute had also rejected his subsequent requests to reconsider its decision, which he had challenged in the high court through his lawyer Ronith Joy.
The institute had argued before the court that the case of the petitioner on medical grounds is governed by its regulation that necessitates that a student files an application prior to the last day of examination.
The student had failed to make any such application, it argued, and further stated that the petitioner had not reported any medical illness even while he stayed in a hostel between January and March 2020.
As per the petitioner's parents, he could not convey his feeling of depression to them due to his introverted nature, and they learnt about it as late as September 2020, when the institute refused to accept the fee for his third semester on account of his termination.
The student's parents then made several requests to the institute to reconsider its decision and give another chance to their son, but to no avail.
Dengue 101: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Treatments, Vaccines And Prevention
In their last communication dated 25 December 2020, with the institute, the parents annexed a doctor's certificate that stated the patient was "diagnosed with severe depressive episodes with suicidal ideation currently in partial remission".
"His problem started in January 2020, reached its peak in May-June (2020) and now decreased in severity and for that, he is put on appropriate treatment," the doctor's certificate said.
Helpline Numbers:
1. COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- Helpline: 0832-2252525 | 01:00 PM - 07:00 PM | Monday to Friday
2. Parivarthan- Helpline: +91 7676 602 602 | 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM | Monday to Friday
3. Connecting Trust- Helpline: +91 992 200 1122 | +91-992 200 4305 | 12:00 PM to 08:00 PM | All days of the week
4. Roshni Trust- Helpline: 040-66202000, 040-66202001 | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | Monday to Sunday
5.
Sahai
-
080-25497777
/
[email protected]
This
helpline
is
a
service
provided
by
Medico
Pastoral
Association
(MPA)
and
is
run
by
trained
active
volunteers.
If
any
caller
requires
face
to
face
counselling,
they
are
referred
to
MPA
counsellors
who
are
fully
trained.
10
AM-
8
PM
MONDAY
TO
SATURDAY
6. Sumaitri - 011-23389090 / [email protected]
A
crisis
intervention
centre
for
the
depressed,
distressed
and
suicidal.
The
Helpline
provides
unconditional
and
unbiased
emotional
support
to
callers,
visitors
or
those
who
write
in.
2
PM-
10
PM
MONDAY
TO
FRIDAY;
10
AM
-
10
PM
SATURDAY
AND
SUNDAY
7.
Sneha
-
044-24640050
(24
HOURS)
/
044-24640060
8
AM
-
10
PM
/
[email protected]
A
suicide
prevention
organisation
that
offers
emotional
support
for
the
depressed,
desperate
and
the
suicidal.
8.
Lifeline
-
[email protected]
-
033-24637401
/
033-24637432
Lifeline
offers
a
free
tele-helpline
providing
emotional
support
to
people
who
are
in
despair,
depressed
or
suicidal.
Face
to
face
befriending
with
prior
appointment
is
also
available.
10
AM
-
6
PM
- wellnessInternational Men’s Day 2023: 5 Mental Health Issues Often Ignored In Men
- healthGlenn Maxwell's Triumph Over Depression With His Wife By His Side: Can Your Partner Be The Saving Grace?
- healthMonsoon Continues In Many Parts Of India: Can Rain Trigger Depression?
- pregnancy parentingObesity And Depression: 5 Ways You Can Support Your Kid
- wellnessWorld Mental Health Day: Tips To Deal With Morning Anxiety Before Work
- health5 Things To Try In Addition To Therapy For Mental Health Illnesses
- healthNegative Thinking Disorder: How To Suppress Negative Thoughts To Improve Your Mental Health?
- healthYour Food Can Trigger Depression, Are You At Risk? 5 Foods You Should Be Wary Of
- healthMental Health: Sudden Anxiety Attack? Top 5 Ways To Find Instant Relief
- pregnancy parentingMental Health: Teenage Blues Or Depression? Recognising Depression Symptoms In Teens
- healthUnlock the Magical Stress-Busting Power of Indian Spices and Herbs
- healthMyths vs Facts: Are Schizophrenics Violent?