‘Seeking professional help a sign of strength and not weakness’: AIIMS professor

Getting students back on track requires more than simply asking them to work harder, Prof. Gauri Shankar Kaloiya of AIIMS, New Delhi, said, stressing the need to prioritise mental well-being, build support systems, and seek professional help when required.

Speaking at THE WEEK’s ‘Healthy Young Mind, Healthy India’ event in New Delhi, on ‘How We Can Get You Back on Track’, Kaloiya said students should understand that seeking professional help is a sign of strength and not weakness. He emphasised the role of counsellors in providing a safe and confidential space where students can feel heard and understood without judgement.

For students dealing with depression, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help address negative automatic thoughts and overcome paralysing fears, he said. Mindfulness and resilience-building programmes can further help students manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and regain focus.

Kaloiya also advocated practical interventions such as setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals and adopting effective study strategies to reduce the burden of academic expectations.

He said a strong support network comprising family, trusted peers, and counsellors is essential for long-term well-being. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and better time management, he added, can also act as important buffers against stress.

Early access to integrated campus healthcare and counselling services can ultimately help students navigate academic pressures and regain control of their lives, he said.