The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), in collaboration with ICMR’s multi-state research project, is developing a comprehensive campus-based suicide risk reduction model. This initiative focuses on sensitizing and training key stakeholders, including educators and campus leaders, to enhance mental health support systems in educational institutions.

By actively involving youth as change agents, the project aims to normalize discussions on mental well-being, encourage help-seeking behavior, and foster peer support. Teachers will be trained to recognize early signs of distress and provide immediate assistance with referrals. Additionally, self-help resources will be made available in digital and offline formats for students.

NIMHANS advocates a proactive, community-driven approach, addressing the increasing mental health challenges among students. At a recent consultative meeting, administrators from diverse educational institutions—spanning arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, and more—deliberated on systemic interventions to improve early detection and response to suicide risks.

Dr. Pratima Murthy, NIMHANS Director, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts and a strengths-based approach to student well-being. Dr. Seema Mehrotra, the lead investigator, highlighted the involvement of experts across departments, working alongside Karnataka’s Education and Health departments to create a scalable, sustainable model.

Through structured interventions and strategic discussions, NIMHANS is paving the way for a robust mental health support system across campuses.