News

Bengaluru recently hosted the much-awaited second edition of Manotsava: National Mental Health Festival, drawing hundreds of participants from across the country. Co-created by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, NIMHANS, and NCBS, the festival transformed the Lalit Ashok venue into a vibrant hub where conversations around mental health, vulnerability, and community care took center stage. Breaking the silence...

On October 17 and 18, the NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bengaluru hosted Mental Health Santhe 4.0, an event focused on suicide prevention, digital wellness, and community-based support. The gathering brought together hundreds of participants, including families, students, health professionals, and members of various NGOs. The Santhe aligned with World Mental Health Day’s international campaign, which...

India saw one of its most ambitious mental health initiatives for schools earlier this month, led by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This virtual campaign ran from October 4 to 10, and was designed to bring mental health support and conversations directly into school...

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day, Anna Chandy & Associates is launching UnFine, a campaign that invites us to look beyond the default and tune in to the unspoken. We say “I’m fine” so often. Sometimes we say so reflexively, sometimes out of fear. But beneath those words there often lies a silent struggle. ...

On September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day, AIIMS Delhi launched an AI-enabled mental health and wellness program specifically designed to address rising mental health concerns and student suicides in India. The initiative combines artificial intelligence (AI), peer support (“well-being partners”), and professional psychiatric resources. In addition to AIIMS Delhi, the program was also inaugurated in...

Kerala is preparing to open its first neurodivergent-friendly coworking hub in Kochi, setting a new benchmark for workplace inclusivity. The space, called “i by Infopark,” is located at the Ernakulam South Metro Station and includes a range of thoughtful design features to accommodate individuals with diverse neurological needs such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia,...

In a watershed moment for Indian education, the Supreme Court has issued a sweeping set of 15 guidelines for all educational institutions—schools, colleges, coaching centers, hostels, and universities—in response to a deeply troubling surge in student suicides nationwide. Over 13,044 student suicides are reported annually in India, and roughly one student is lost approximately every...

As more people turn to artificial intelligence for emotional support, OpenAI has released significant updates to ChatGPT aimed at addressing mental health concerns and prioritizing user safety. These updates are designed to make the chatbot less likely to foster unhealthy dependencies or provide inappropriate advice, and are informed by consultations with clinicians and technology experts....

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur has partnered with the Pahlé India Foundation to launch India’s first large-scale, multi-center study assessing blood lead levels (BLLs) in children and examining the effects on their cognitive and mental health. The study, titled "Assessment of Blood Lead Levels in the Paediatric Population and Evaluation of...

LISSUN, an Indian mental health platform, has acquired Being Cares Inc, a US-based mental wellbeing technology company. This move, finalized in late July 2025, brings Being Cares’ technology and team into LISSUN, with former Being Cares founders Varun Gandhi and Abhishek Sharma joining LISSUN to lead product and technology strategies. Strategic benefits Service expansion Industry...

The Government of Kerala has announced a new initiative to train 3,000 school teachers to serve as primary mental health counselors across the state. This will be Phase 1 of the initiative, a move that's part of a broader effort to address rising levels of psychological distress among students, including anxiety, substance use, and excessive...

The Delhi government is set to launch a comprehensive mental health program aimed at children, working adults, and seniors, marking a significant step toward addressing the city’s growing mental health challenges. The initiative features a four-tier system designed to make mental health support more accessible and culturally sensitive. The new program will offer: Anonymous telephonic...

The MyndStories Podcast, India’s leading podcast platform for real conversations on mental health and emotional well-being, has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Mental Health Podcasts on the web by MillionPodcasts, a global authority on podcast curation and discovery. The list, curated by MillionPodcasts’ expert panel, is considered the most comprehensive international ranking...

A new study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health finds that adults who follow calorie- or nutrient-restrictive diets are more likely to experience depressive symptoms, especially men and people who are overweight or have obesity issues. What did the study find? Researchers analyzed data from over 28,000 U.S. adults who participated in the National...

As mental health challenges among Indian students reach crisis levels, MyndStories, India’s first holistic content-driven mental health platform, has launched MyndSafe, a suite of innovative, culturally sensitive mental health programs designed specifically for schools and colleges. What ails the Indian education system? Post-pandemic, Indian school children are witnessing a sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and...

A sweeping new analysis of 293,000 children worldwide has found a significant connection between increased screen time and a higher risk of emotional and behavioral challenges, including aggression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The findings, published in the journal Psychological Bulletin led by Dr. Michael Noetel and Roberta Vasconcellos, underscore growing concerns among pediatricians and mental...

eMbrace has announced a new partnership with Rainbow Children’s Hospitals, New Delhi, bringing a wider range of developmental and therapeutic services directly to families in the capital. This collaboration aims to make high-quality, family-centered care more accessible at a time when early intervention and support are increasingly recognized as critical for children’s lifelong health and...

A pioneering study has unveiled a promising non-invasive treatment for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. Using low-intensity focused ultrasound, researchers have managed to directly target and modulate the amygdala, a deep brain region long linked to emotional regulation and mental health disorders-without the need for surgery or medication. How the treatment works...

Rediscover joy with nature and mangoes The first rains of the monsoon are already pounding Mumbai. It seems just the right time for a unique mango festival nature walk – a blend of forest bathing, mindful eating, and seasonal celebration. This experience is designed for anyone seeking a gentle pause and a reconnection with nature’s...

We are having more ultra-processed food (UPF) than ever before. And that is reshaping not just our waistlines but our minds. A new study published in the journal Nutrients has added powerful evidence to a growing consensus: diets high in UPFs are linked to a greater risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders....