Andhra Pradesh appoints school counsellors to support student mental health

Andhra Pradesh has become the first State in the country to appoint dedicated counsellors at school level to support students’ mental health, said B. Srinivasa Rao, Director, Samagra Shiksha State Project, on Monday (March 23, 2026).

Speaking at the inaugural session of a four-day training programme for newly-appointed mental health and career counsellors under Samagra Shiksha, Mr. Rao said that the new appointments were made to ensure availability of at least one counsellor in every mandal.

He elaborated on their roles and responsibilities, students’ mental health concerns, and service regulations. He highlighted that adolescents (teenagers) often face hormonal changes and emotional challenges, which may lead them astray. “Counsellors play a crucial role in identifying such issues at an early stage and will guide students towards positive behaviour through proper counselling,” he said.

Mr. Rao said that counsellors have a vital responsibility in preventing issues such as substance abuse and student suicides arising from minor triggers. He asked counsellors to consider themselves as “mental health doctors” and to provide continuous support to students at the grassroots level. He also encouraged them to work with dedication, maintain strong coordination with headmasters and teachers and build a distinct identity through their service.

He announced that psychometric tests will be conducted in June for students of Classes 8 and 9 to assess their intellectual abilities and expressed hope that counsellors would contribute wholeheartedly in shaping students into responsible citizens.

The programme was attended by Samagra Shiksha Assistant State Project Director M.R. Prasanna Kumar, trainers including Dr. Apoorva Indus Hospital, Dr. Teja Veni from EASE Organisation, Surya Prasad from Padala Charitable Trust, Dheeman from EdCIL, Dr. Aarthi Gupta from AIIMS, Mangalagiri, G. Priyanka from UNICEF), State Vocational Coordinator C. Sreelatha and others.