On World Suicide Prevention Day, AIIMS Delhi launched the innovative ‘Never Alone’ app, aimed at addressing suicidal tendencies among college students while reducing mental health stigma. This secure, web-based platform provides students with 24/7 access to mental health screenings, interventions, and follow-ups, via WhatsApp and offline consultations. The programme is also being rolled out at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and IHBAS, Shahdara. Dr. Nand Kumar emphasized its affordability, costing just 70 paisa per student daily, with free access for all AIIMS institutions through the Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH), led by Dr. Deepak Chopra. Highlighting the urgent need for suicide prevention, especially given the alarming statistic of 1,70,924 suicide deaths in India in 2022, Dr. Kumar called for a public health approach to mental health. The ‘Never Alone’ initiative aims to provide accessible, stigma-free support tailored for India’s youth, addressing the prevalent treatment gap amidst rising suicide rates.
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