“I used to share my contact number with students. If any child had mental health concerns, I would counsel them personally. We submitted several representations to the previous DMK government seeking revival of the scheme, but nothing materialised,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Psychology Association president K Balamurugan said most private schools, including CBSE and ICSE institutions, have psychologists to support students, while government schools continue to lack dedicated mental health professionals.
“The government should appoint at least one psychologist at the district or taluk level to address students’ mental health concerns,” he said.
He also pointed out that the Madras High Court, in an order dated June 29, 2016, had observed that appointing a psychologist in every school may not be feasible, but recommended introducing psychology as a subject in educational institutions. He alleged that the recommendation has not yet been implemented.
When contacted by TNIE, Chief Educational Officer S. Thayalan said a proposal seeking the appointment of psychologists and drivers to revive the scheme has already been forwarded. “The government has to make a decision on the proposal,” he said. Director of School Education S Kannappan told TNIE that he would look into the matter.
TEN EDUCATIONAL ZONES IN TAMIL NADU: The scheme covered 10 educational zones — Madurai, Coimbatore, Chennai, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Salem, Erode, Cuddalore, and Pudukkottai. Each zone had one mobile counselling van and one psychologist, who was paid a consolidated monthly salary of Rs 25,000