Initiative Aims to Tackle Suicidal Tendencies and Stigma, Launched on World Suicide Prevention Day
New Delhi: In a landmark effort to address mental health concerns among students, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has launched ‘Never Alone’, an AI-powered mental health and wellness app designed specifically for college and university students. The launch coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day, emphasizing the urgency of tackling this public health crisis.
Developed to screen, intervene, and provide post-intervention support, ‘Never Alone’ offers AI-assisted mental health screening at an affordable cost of just 70 paise per student. The web-based app is highly secured, operates 24×7, and is accessible through WhatsApp, providing both virtual and offline mental health consultations.
Speaking to India Today, Dr. Nand Kumar, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS-Delhi, explained that the platform is focused on reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, promoting early identification of risks, and enabling continuous follow-up care.
Currently, institutions such as AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (Delhi), and Galgotias University (Greater Noida) have adopted the service. Importantly, all AIIMS institutions nationwide will receive the app free of charge, supported by the Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH), mentored by renowned integrative health expert Dr. Deepak Chopra.
Urgent Need Amid Rising Suicide Rates
The launch comes at a critical time when suicide remains a significant global and national public health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that globally, one person dies by suicide every 45 seconds, with 73% of suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries. India alone recorded 1,70,924 suicide deaths in 2022, the highest in over five decades, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Young adults aged 18 to 30 accounted for 35% of these deaths.
Dr. Kumar highlighted the treatment gap:
“Despite the presence of mental health professionals, 70 to 80% of people suffering from mental health issues don’t seek help, largely due to stigma and unawareness.” He emphasized that many suicides happen impulsively during crises, such as financial troubles, relationship conflicts, or chronic illnesses, beyond classical mental disorders.
A Step Towards Bridging the Gap
By offering a secure, affordable, and stigma-free platform, the ‘Never Alone’ app aims to bridge the gap in mental health treatment, particularly for India’s youth. This initiative is seen as a timely, progressive move to reduce student suicides and foster long-term mental wellness across academic institutions.
