Research on student mental health has gained momentum following a World Health Organisation report stating that 30% of university students globally suffer from mental health issues. In India, this has become a public health emergency, particularly as increasing reports of suicides and breakdowns emerge from professional institutions. It has also necessitated the understanding of mental health issues and health-seeking behaviour among students in broader public higher educational institutions (HEIs). The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) has led to significant stress and anxiety among teachers and students, often without available support services. The mixed-method research focused on the prevalence of mental health issues—such as stress, depression, anxiety, and perceived discrimination among 2,194 students from the University of Delhi, which represents students from all states and the social strata of India. Standardised tools were used to assess the prevalence of these factors, as well as students' awareness of mental health support and health-seeking behaviour. The analyses revealed a high prevalence of mental health issues, with over 70% of students unaware of available support services. Many students indicated a need for safe spaces to discuss their mental health. While 55% reported hidden mental health problems, 41.1% experienced changes in their mental health after starting college. Perceived social support was found to mediate the relationship between stress, academic pressure, and perceived discrimination, impacting overall well-being. The findings suggest that fostering social support through peer mentoring and creating wellness spaces, alongside professional counselling, could make it more acceptable to ask for help within the campus ecosystem. These results empirically support the Supreme Court's recommendations for establishing mental health support systems in Indian campuses to promote student well-being.