India is facing a growing mental health crisis among its student population, driven by intense academic pressure, social challenges, and a significant treatment gap. Student suicide rates have surged at an annual rate of 4%, double the national average, underscoring the urgent need for early and effective interventions. This paper provides a critical review of the existing landscape of student mental health interventions in India, contrasting traditional approaches with emerging novel interventions. Traditional methods, such as student/school counsellors, awareness programs, teacher sensitization programs and parent management training are prevalent and grounded in well-established best practices worldwide. However, their scalability and standardization present challenges, particularly in resource-constrained settings. In parallel, novel approaches, including app-based guided programs, digital platforms, tele-counseling and use of AI, are gaining traction, offering not just scalability but also anonymity to counter pervasive stigma. This review follows a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and case studies. The paper will demonstrate that while technology-driven solutions can increase access, they must be adapted and integrated with existing traditional practices to ensure efficacy and sustainability. It will analyze the policy gaps and implementation challenges that hinder the creation of a synergistic mental healthcare model. By examining the strengths and limitations of both paradigms, this research proposes an integrated, multi-pronged framework for a more responsive and sensitive student mental health support system in India and offers a vital, synthesized perspective for policymakers, educators, parents, educational institutions, and mental health professionals, advocating for a hybrid model that leverages innovation.

Authors:
Sai Chaitanya Chakravarthy Chunduri, GITAM (deemed to be) University, India

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Sai Chaitanya is currently a Postgraduate student in Applied Psychology at GITAM (deemed to be) University, India.

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