In a landmark step to address India’s spiraling student suicide crisis, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi recently launched Never Alone — an Artificial Intelligence-based mental health and wellness app designed to provide round-the-clock support to students.

The initiative was unveiled on World Suicide Prevention Day, underscoring the urgent need for stronger interventions against the country’s deepening mental health crisis.

The programme, accessible via WhatsApp, offers 24x7 screening, intervention, and follow-up support. Students can access both virtual and offline consultations through the platform, which AIIMS says is web-based, highly secure, and stigma-free.

“Never Alone is a comprehensive model focused on screening, timely intervention, and continuous follow-up,” explained Dr. Nand Kumar, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS Delhi. “It offers a cost-effective solution at just 70 paisa per student per day.”

Scaling across campuses

Launched simultaneously at AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Shahdara, the programme is also set to expand nationwide.

All AIIMS institutions across India will receive the service free of cost, enabled through the Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH), a non-profit initiative supported by AIIMS alumnus and global integrative health advocate Dr. Deepak Chopra.

Confronting a crisis

The launch comes against a grim backdrop. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India reported 1,70,924 suicides in 2022 — the highest in over five decades. Of these, young adults aged 18–30 accounted for the largest share at 35%.

Globally, the World Health Organisation notes that one person dies by suicide every 45 seconds, with 73%. of these deaths in low and middle-income countries.

Dr. Kumar stressed that while suicide is often linked to mental health disorders such as depression and alcohol use, many cases are impulsive, triggered by crises like financial strain, relationship breakdowns, or chronic illness.

“Despite the presence of psychiatrists and psychologists in medical institutions, suicide continues to claim young lives. The core problem is the treatment gap — with 70–80% of those struggling never seeking help due to stigma and lack of awareness,” he said.

A lifeline for India’s youth

By offering an accessible, affordable, and stigma-free model, Never Alone aims to bridge that gap. With India’s youth under mounting academic, social, and economic pressures, AIIMS hopes the initiative will offer not just crisis support, but also a cultural shift in how mental health is perceived and addressed.