India Launches Pioneering DBT Programme to Combat Youth Suicide Crisis

A new structured mental health programme has launched in India to address the urgent need for evidence-based care. Mpower, an initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Trust, has teamed up with the Behavioral Tech Institute to introduce a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programme. The effort aims to strengthen support for individuals at high risk of suicide and self-harm, particularly within public healthcare systems where such interventions remain scarce. The DBT programme is now underway in Mumbai, where the first cohort has begun a year-long intensive training. It combines foundational and advanced modules with real-world clinical practice, ensuring clinicians gain hands-on experience. The initiative also includes ongoing case-based consultation and team-based learning to build long-term expertise.

DBT is globally recognised for its effectiveness in reducing suicide attempts, self-harm, and hospitalisations. In India, where over 170,000 suicide deaths occur annually, nearly 35-40 percent involve young people aged 15 to 29. Mpower’s programme seeks to address this crisis by scaling structured DBT protocols across public and private healthcare institutions. Mrs Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of Mpower and the Aditya Birla Education Trust, highlighted the importance of this step. She noted that India stands at a critical point in its mental health journey, with DBT offering one of the most rigorously validated therapies for those in severe emotional distress. The programme has already brought together leading clinicians and institutions to bolster frontline clinical capacity. Over the next five years, Mpower plans to expand its reach by training a network of DBT clinicians. The goal is to embed structured DBT protocols in major healthcare settings, making evidence-based care more widely accessible.

The launch of this DBT programme marks a significant step in improving mental health support in India. With a focus on training clinicians and integrating structured protocols, the initiative aims to reduce suicide and self-harm rates over time. The collaboration between Mpower and the Behavioral Tech Institute signals a broader effort to strengthen the country’s mental healthcare infrastructure.