Despite recording 26 cases of suicide among coaching students in 2023, the highest in a year, Kota is facing a critical shortage of clinical psychologists to address the mental health challenges of approximately 2.50 lakh coaching students preparing for various entrance exams away from their homes.
The Psychological Counselling Centre, established in September this year at the New Medical College Hospital in Kota, lacks a clinical psychologist. While it was initiated in compliance with the state government’s budget announcement, there is only one clinical psychologist appointed at NMCH, falling significantly short of the demand for at least five professionals. Moreover, the center lacks an adequate number of trained staff.
The scarcity of M Phil programs in clinical psychology within the medical colleges of the state compounds the issue, as qualified professionals serving in government medical colleges are degree holders from other states and do not meet the local demand.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Daria, professor (MD) in the Department of Psychology at NMCH, submitted a proposal for an M Phil course in clinical psychology in government institutions in Rajasthan to the state government in January last year. Although the proposal was approved, leading to the establishment of the Psychological Counselling Centre, the commencement of the M Phil course and the appointment of clinical psychologists remains pending.
Dr. Daria emphasized the acute demand for clinical psychologists in the state, especially in Kota, Sikar, and Jaipur, where a high influx of students is expected due to the better study culture. While acknowledging the shortage of clinical psychologists and expert counselors, Dr. B. S. Shekhawat, Head of the Department of Psychology and Additional Principal at the Government Medical College, Kota, stated that despite writing for their appointment, they are yet to be recruited.
Dr. Shekhawat highlighted the need for trained psychologists with adequate experience, emphasizing the significant contribution of the counseling center in extending professional psychological counseling to around 400 patients, primarily coaching students, since its inception in September this year.
While there are reportedly three to four clinical psychologists in the private sector, including a couple working with coaching giants, the overall shortage in Kota persists, impacting the mental well-being of students preparing for competitive exams.