In what is being seen as a ray of hope for countless students struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, fear, and frustration, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has launched a pioneering Artificial Intelligence-based mental health and wellness programme designed to address suicidal tendencies and break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The initiative, titled “Never Alone”, was formally launched on World Suicide Prevention Day. According to Dr. Nand Kumar, Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS-Delhi, the programme is aimed at screening, early intervention, and long-term post-intervention follow-up for college and university students—one of the most vulnerable groups facing mental health challenges today.
Alongside AIIMS-Delhi, the app has simultaneously been rolled out at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Shahdara, ensuring wider reach and impact.
Accessible Support, Anytime, Anywhere
“Never Alone” is a web-based, highly secure mental health platform that can be accessed 24/7 via WhatsApp. Through it, students can reach out both virtually and in-person to trained mental health and wellness experts, ensuring that help is never too far away.
The service has been designed to be not only comprehensive but also affordable.
As Dr. Kumar explained, the basic mental health screening costs only 70 paise per student per day—a minimal amount for potentially life-saving support. Institutes across the country can subscribe by reaching out to AIIMS-Delhi, making this service widely accessible to student populations.
Through the Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH)—a not-for-profit initiative mentored by Dr. Deepak Chopra, a world-renowned author and pioneer in integrative health—AIIMS will provide this service free of financial burden to all AIIMS institutions across India.
A Timely Intervention in a Growing Crisis
The importance of such an initiative cannot be overstated. Suicide has emerged as one of the gravest public health crises worldwide.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one person dies by suicide every 45 seconds, with nearly 73% of cases occurring in low and middle-income countries.
In India alone, 1,70,924 people lost their lives to suicide in 2022—the highest figure in over five decades, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
A large share of these tragedies affects the youth: in 2022, young adults between 18–30 years accounted for 35% of all suicides, followed by those aged 30–45 years, at 32%. Behind these figures lies immense emotional devastation, not only for the individuals but also for their families, who often grapple with grief, guilt, and irreparable loss.
Breaking Stigma, Offering Hope
Dr. Kumar highlighted that 70–80% of people suffering from mental health issues never seek treatment, mainly due to stigma and lack of awareness. This treatment gap persists even in medical institutions, where psychiatrists and psychologists are readily available.
He explained that while depression and substance use disorders are often linked to suicide, many incidents occur impulsively during moments of crisis—brought on by academic or financial pressures, relationship struggles, chronic pain, or illnesses. This underscores the need for an easily accessible, stigma-free support system like Never Alone.
“This initiative represents a public health approach to suicide prevention, aiming for a major shift in how society perceives mental illness and its treatment,” Dr. Kumar said. He emphasised that technology, when used responsibly, can translate our collective commitment into action by providing continuous support, monitoring, and intervention for those most in need.
A Great Relief for Students and Families
For students battling overwhelming stress, anxiety, or hopelessness, Never Alone promises to be more than an app—it is a lifeline.
By offering instant access to professional guidance and reducing barriers to treatment, the programme brings much-needed relief not only to individuals but also to families who often suffer the silent agony of watching their loved ones struggle.
With this initiative, AIIMS has sent out a powerful message: no one needs to fight their battles alone. In a society where conversations around mental health are still burdened with stigma, the Never Alone programme represents a compassionate step forward in building a culture of care, awareness, and resilience.
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