NIMHANS to launch program with Karnataka government to better students' mental health

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Education of Karnataka is carrying out a project to address the issue of mental health among students. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched the program with the goal of enhancing student wellbeing and lowering suicide rates among those in grades 9 and 10, as well as those preparing for college and graduates. 

With Karnataka operating as the hub, the three-year implementation research study is being carried out across eight states and UTs. The study's objective is the development of scalable, sustainable, and evidence-based models for mental health promotion and suicide risk reduction.

The issues with youth and young adults' mental health are becoming more and more prevalent. According to UNICEF research from 2021, 20% of young people, aged 15 to 24, in 21 countries reported having depressive symptoms or being uninterested in their activities. 

Furthermore, the 2015–2016 National Mental Health Survey of India found that 10.6% of young adults and 7.3% of adolescents in India have diagnosable mental health conditions, with the urban rate being twice as high as in rural areas. 

A meeting is planned to examine potential implementation obstacles and facilitators with representatives from the health and education departments, mental health professionals, and non-governmental organizations on June 5 at Arogya Soudha. The main goal is to get expert opinions to improve the action plan and discuss possible obstacles to implementing these kinds of programs in educational institutions in Bengaluru's rural and urban areas.

Many young people do not receive enough support despite the need because of stigma, insufficient knowledge, false beliefs about professional assistance, and restricted access to affordable options. Considering how much time students spend on campuses, these settings are essential for putting mental health programs into place.

These kinds of programs can increase a person's sense of community, spot problems early, and facilitate easier access to peer support, professional treatment, and self-help.

Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS and principal investigator of the project, emphasized the multidisciplinary approach of the initiative. Experts across various departments at NIMHANS and the E-Health Research Center at the International Institute of Information Technology Bengaluru (IIIT-B) are collaborating with the Government of Karnataka and other stakeholders to achieve the project’s goals.