‘Never Alone’: AIIMS unveils app to tackle student suicides with AI support

AIIMS Delhi has launched an artificial intelligence-based mental health and wellness program called “Never Alone,” aimed at addressing the growing crisis of student suicides in India.

The initiative seeks to provide preventive care, reduce stigma, and deliver affordable and accessible mental health support for young people.

The platform functions through WhatsApp and is available 24x7. It offers screening, intervention, and post-intervention follow-up, with both online and offline consultations.

Dr Nand Kumar, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS Delhi, explained that the model is designed to be highly economical. “It costs only 70 paisa per student per day,” he said.

The program was launched simultaneously at AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Shahdara.

While colleges and universities will need to subscribe for access, AIIMS institutions across the country will receive the service free of cost.

This will be facilitated through the Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH), a non-profit initiative supported by globally renowned AIIMS alumnus Dr Deepak Chopra.

The urgency of such interventions is underscored by alarming figures. India recorded 170,924 suicide deaths in 2022, the highest in over 56 years, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Young adults made up the largest share: 35% of suicides were among people aged 18–30, followed by 32% in the 30–45 age group. Students accounted for 7.6% of cases.

Dr Kumar stressed the importance of shifting perspectives.

“The public health approach to suicide prevention argues for a major change in the way we think about suicide and its prevention, including an increase in trained mental health professionals,” he said.

He added that while mental disorders such as depression and alcohol use contribute, suicides often occur impulsively during crises related to finances, relationships, or health.

The treatment gap remains one of the biggest challenges.

“It’s well established that 70 to 80% of people suffering from mental health issues don’t seek treatment. One of the important reasons for the treatment gap is unawareness and stigma. This is reflected in frequent incidents of suicide in medical colleges where psychiatrists and psychologists are available,” Dr Kumar observed.

Exam-related stress continues to drive tragic outcomes. NCRB data shows 2,248 suicides in 2022 were linked directly to exam failure.

Kota, the hub of coaching for competitive exams, has been a tragic focal point: 26 student suicides in 2023, 17 in 2024, and at least 14 by early May 2025.

Experts say high-stakes tests like NEET often become the tipping point for distressed students, particularly when families have taken loans or invested heavily in coaching.

Social shame is another factor shaping the crisis. For many young people, failure is seen as not just personal but also as a blow to family honor.

Expectations tied to jobs, financial independence, and marriage prospects intensify the burden. As a result, even minor setbacks can feel catastrophic.

The Mpower suicide prevention toolkit highlights risks such as family conflict, academic stress, sexual violence, early pregnancy, and lack of open communication at home.

In many middle-class families, taboo subjects are left unspoken, further isolating youth.

Warning signs like withdrawal, hopelessness, sudden changes in appetite or sleep, and giving away belongings are often overlooked until it is too late.

In 2022 alone, nearly 1.7 lakh suicides were reported in India, with youth forming a large proportion.

Many left behind short notes saying “sorry, Mummy” or “sorry, Papa,” showing how distress often remains hidden until the end.

Prevention efforts, experts say, must begin at home. The Mpower toolkit suggests that parents should listen without judgment, avoid minimizing problems, and recognize early warning signals.

Families are urged to create safety plans, restrict access to harmful means, and encourage professional care. Importantly, asking directly about suicidal thoughts is not harmful; it reduces feelings of isolation.

On a broader scale, schools and colleges must integrate suicide prevention into their systems.

Training teachers to act as gatekeepers, ensuring access to counselors during exam seasons, organizing parental workshops, and strengthening referral pathways are seen as critical steps.

India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy and the government’s Tele-MANAS helpline (14416 / 1-800-891-4416) provide practical tools that institutions can adopt immediately.

The “Never Alone” initiative reflects this combined approach by offering low-cost, AI-powered support with offline care and follow-up.

AIIMS aims to close the treatment gap by giving institutions a ready-to-use platform for students in distress.

Experts emphasize that suicide prevention requires systemic investment in trained professionals, integration of mental health services into education, and a cultural shift at the family level.

As Dr Kumar noted, the challenge is to change the way suicide is viewed, ensuring that no student feels isolated when facing pressure.