Udaipur,  Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Snowflakes Counselling Private Limited to promote mental health awareness and emotional well-being among students. The initiative has been undertaken by the university’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kailash Daga said the growing use of social media and artificial intelligence was posing new challenges to students’ mental well-being. He described the MoU as a significant step towards addressing these concerns and said the partnership would provide students access to a network of trained and qualified mental health professionals.

The initiative aims to integrate professional counselling services with technology-based resources to help students manage emotional challenges, develop resilience and improve their overall well-being. Prof. Daga congratulated the IQAC for taking the initiative.

IQAC Director Prof. Shurveer Singh Bhanawat said the collaboration would facilitate access to professional counselling, digital wellness resources and structured mental health programmes. It would also help create a supportive and inclusive campus environment while enabling the university to adopt a more systematic and proactive approach to student mental health.

Registrar Dr. V.C. Garg said student success extended beyond academic achievements to include emotional well-being, mental resilience, healthy interpersonal relationships and a sense of belonging.

Dr. Tarun Sharma, Head In-charge of the Department of Psychology, said the university aimed to foster an environment where mental health could be discussed sensitively and every student received opportunities to learn, grow and realise their potential.

Snowflakes Counselling founder Mahima Paliwal reiterated the organisation’s commitment to working with educational institutions to promote the overall well-being of young people. She said students often faced academic pressure, career-related uncertainty, relationship challenges and difficulties in emotional adjustment, making accessible professional mental health support essential.

Under the MoU, Snowflakes Counselling will provide all university students with free and confidential mental health assessments through its digital platform. A confidential report will be shared with the IQAC to help the university identify and take appropriate steps to support student well-being.

The partnership will also facilitate seminars, workshops and other activities on mental health awareness, stress management and emotional wellness, based on students’ needs and mutual agreement between the two parties.

Paliwal said mental health support in higher education should go beyond awareness campaigns and occasional interventions. Students, she added, must have confidence that professional assistance will be readily available whenever required.

Through Snowflakes Counselling and Embrin, the organisation aims to help educational institutions build environments where seeking mental health support is considered normal, accessible and free from fear or hesitation. Counselling and support services will be delivered in accordance with professional ethical standards, confidentiality requirements and safety protocols.

Paliwal expressed gratitude to the university administration for the opportunity to collaborate with MLSU.

Dr. Mukesh Barbar, Controller of Examinations; Dr. Ghanshyam Purohit, Head of the Department of Physics; Mahesh Soni; and Mahima Paliwal of Snowflakes Counselling were present on the occasion.