In addition, JIPMER has launched a new innovative initiative as a proactive measure to promote the mental well-being of students, in the form of J-CARES (JIPMER Centre for Counseling, Assistance, Resilience, and Empowerment of Students) Cell. The Cell has been conceived with the idea to provide support and resources to undergraduate and postgraduate students/residents at JIPMER, and to foster a supportive, resilient environment that nurtures positive mental health.
JIPMER Director, Dr. Vir Singh Negi, stated in his note that the J-CARES program was inspired by a successful model developed at AIIMS Bilaspur during his tenure as the Director there. He said that the J-CARES Cell is governed by a core group of faculty members, who will steer its activities under the supervision of the Academic section, including training of stakeholders, and are supported by gatekeeper faculty members from various departments.
The J-CARES Cell will provide counselling services to students through trained counsellors and adopt a peer-support approach as a buttress. When students face any issues, they are offered different options to reach out to the Cell, such as sending an email, filling an online form, depositing a written slip in dropboxes kept in designated places, approaching faculty mentors, core or gatekeeper faculty members, peer support group, and through messages or calls on a dedicated 24x7 helpline mobile number. The concerned student will be approached for providing support and counselling.
Additionally, the Cell is poised to undertake mental health promotive activities involving the students throughout the year. He expressed hope that the J-CARES Cell will further bolster the efforts of the institute in providing an effective support system for students. He reiterated that the institute will leave no stone unturned to provide a healthy and supportive learning environment for students.