Stress and mental health related problems among students due to discrimination during higher education in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

In the context of modern global changes, the issue of social justice, social welfare and newlinethereby the assurance of well-being of humans are the primary concerns of the world in newlinegeneral; and in Indian society in particular. These issues demand for review of principles newlineof social justice, human rights, and strategies for social change and equality for social newlinewelfare. Endeavours to achieve justice and equality in the society are the prime focuses newlineand education plays crucial role to achieve them. Therefore, education is the essential newlineelement for the assurance of development socially and economically. It is the instrument newlinefor achieving equality and social justice in the social, political, economic and cultural newlinespheres. Indian society is known for diversity and complexity based on social inequality newlineand hierarchy drawing from religion and caste system. Majority of the Indian sections of newlinecommunities have been traditionally, historically deprived of socio-economic newlineopportunities and educational rights. Prominent among these sections of the society are newlinethe Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes newline(OBCs). However; reaching up to the higher pedestal of education is full of social, newlinecultural and personal difficulties for the students of SCs, STs and OBCs particularly newlinecoming from rural and poor socio-economic backgrounds. Therefore it is pertinent to newlineanalyse the perceived and experienced discrimination because of differential caste and newlinesocio-economic backgrounds among the students of higher education and its newlineconsequential effects on mental health and well being of students. Hence; in the newlinecontemporary Indian scenario, the issue of caste based discrimination and its affinity with newlinemental health problems is significant to analyse to capture the dynamics and functioning newlineof social structures fabricated with the psychological feelings and well being of person. newline