Growing mental health challenge
AIIMS introduces AI mental health programme Never Alone: India is witnessing an alarming mental health crisis. In 2022, the country recorded over 1.7 lakh suicides, the highest figure in five decades. Among these, 35 percent were young adults between 18 and 30 years, making it a pressing youth concern. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that globally one life is lost to suicide every 45 seconds, with 73 percent of cases from low- and middle-income countries.
Static GK fact: WHO was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Features of the programme
The Never Alone programme provides affordable mental health screening at just 70 paise per student per day for institutions with 5,000 or more students. It is designed to be secure, accessible, and user-friendly via WhatsApp. Students can receive consultations both virtually and in person. The service focuses on screening, intervention, and follow-up care, ensuring continuity.
Currently, the programme is active at AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Shahdara. Plans are underway to expand nationwide.
Static GK tip: AIIMS Delhi was established in 1956 under the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act.
Institutional and global support
The initiative is backed by the Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH), founded as a non-profit by AIIMS alumnus Dr Deepak Chopra. Educational institutions can subscribe to the programme directly through AIIMS Delhi. All AIIMS campuses across India will receive the service free of cost, strengthening accessibility.
Tackling stigma and awareness gaps
Despite the availability of trained professionals, nearly 70 to 80 percent of individuals with mental health issues in India do not seek treatment. Fear, social stigma, and lack of awareness contribute to this gap. The Never Alone initiative addresses these issues by making help confidential, easy to access, and affordable.
Static GK fact: The Mental Healthcare Act 2017 in India ensures the right to affordable mental healthcare for every citizen.
Wider impact on students
The programme is particularly significant for college and university students, who represent one of the most vulnerable groups. By integrating artificial intelligence with healthcare, the initiative enables early detection, personalised interventions, and long-term support. The low-cost model makes it suitable for large-scale adoption in educational institutions, potentially transforming mental health care access for India’s youth.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
AIIMS introduces AI mental health programme Never Alone:
| Topic | Detail |
| Programme name | Never Alone |
| Launch institution | AIIMS New Delhi |
| Launch date | September 12, 2025 (World Suicide Prevention Day) |
| Key beneficiaries | Students in higher education |
| Cost model | 70 paise per student per day |
| Current availability | AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, IHBAS Shahdara |
| Supporting organisation | Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH) |
| Founder supporter | Dr Deepak Chopra, AIIMS alumnus |
| Global concern | One suicide every 45 seconds worldwide |
| Indian statistics | 1.7 lakh suicides in 2022, 35% among youth |
