Active promotion of Good Mental Health among students
Providing Students with Access to Mental Health Support
MAHE offers a comprehensive, multi-tiered mental health support framework that promotes emotional well-being, reduces stigma, and ensures that students across campuses have access to free and professional mental health services. Through counselling centres, university-wide awareness campaigns, academic collaborations, student activities, and large-scale community outreach events, MAHE actively fosters a supportive environment aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The following initiatives highlight MAHE’s commitment to providing students with accessible mental health support and strengthening public advocacy around mental well-being.
1. AMHCON 2024 – Asia-Pacific Conference on Adolescent Mental Health (27–29 November 2024)
The Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), MAHE, in collaboration with the University of South Australia and James Cook University, organised AMHCON 2024, an international academic conference themed “Thriving Minds: Fostering Adolescent Wellbeing.”
The three-day event brought together global experts, researchers, practitioners, and students to discuss adolescent mental health challenges, evidence-based interventions, and collaborative solutions. This initiative strengthened MAHE’s leadership in youth mental health research and advocacy.
Public Evidence: AMHCON - 2024 - Asia - Pacific Conference on Adolescent Mental Health: November 27 to 29, 2024
2. Mental Health Awareness Marathon (10 October 2023)
Public Evidence: https://corekmc.com/mental-health-awareness-marathon/
In observance of World Mental Health Day, MAHE’s Department of Student Affairs, along with Fitvib, KMC Manipal, and the Sports Committee, organised a large-scale Mental Health Awareness Marathon.
- Over 650 student participants took part.
- The event featured Zumba sessions, dance performances, and a powerful skit addressing stigma around depression and bipolar disorder.
The marathon served as a public platform to normalise conversations on mental health and commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. TMA Pai.
3. Awareness Session on Youth Mental Health and Substance Use (12 October 2023)
PSPH, in collaboration with Alpha Chaperone and MGM College, Udupi, conducted an awareness session focusing on:
- Youth mental health literacy
- Substance use prevention
- Early recognition of warning signs
- Coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours
The session supported community outreach and strengthened preventive education for local students.
4. Sessions Focused on Student Mental Well-being
a) Lifestyle and Mental Health Session (June 11, 2024)
The Manipal College of Nursing organised a targeted session for male students led by:
- Dr. Soyuz John, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, KH Manipal
Topics included physical and mental health balance, stress management, and everyday lifestyle choices supporting emotional well-being. Ninety-six students attended.
b) Mental Well-being Session at WGSHA
WGSHA conducted a comprehensive session addressing:
- Transition challenges faced by new students
- Importance of resilience and perseverance
- Access to welfare and counselling services
- Coping mechanisms for academic and personal stress
The session included a student-made short film and interactive discussions with MAHE counsellors and guest speakers.
5. Expert Insights on Men’s Mental Health
In a public feature titled “40% of Indian Men Don’t Talk About Their Mental Health”,
- Dr. Samir Kumar Praharaj, Professor & Head, Psychiatry, KMC Manipal,
highlighted the stigma men face in seeking help and the urgent need to address rising male suicide rates.
This contribution reinforces MAHE’s role in national-level mental health advocacy.
6. World Suicide Prevention Day Initiatives (4–12 September 2024)
Public Evidence: https://www.manipal.edu/mcon-manipal/news-events/observation-of-world-suicide-prevention-day-2024.html
The Department of Psychiatric Nursing, MCON organised week-long events under the theme “Change the Narrative on Suicide.” Activities included:
a) School Awareness Session (4 September 2024)
- Delivered at Manipal PU College
- Focus on warning signs, myths, preventive measures
Public Evidence: School Awareness Session
b) Radio Talk on Suicide Prevention (8 September 2024)
- Broadcast via Akashavani, Mangaluru
- Speaker: Ms. Sanju Pant, Lecturer, MCON
- Covered risk factors, myths, early intervention, and coping supports
c) Parenting Workshop (10 September 2024)
- Topic: “Positive Parenting: Promoting Mental Health in Adolescents”
- Speaker: Dr. Anil Kumar M.N, Associate Professor, Psychiatry, KMC
d) Student Reel-Making Competition
Encouraged creative advocacy around suicide prevention for undergraduate students.
These activities directly contributed to SDG 3 and SDG 17, emphasising awareness, community engagement, and collaborative action.
7. Additional Mental Health Promotion Initiatives
World Suicide Prevention Day at MIT, Manipal
Campus-wide programmes and student-led initiatives (including social media campaigns) reinforced awareness about suicide prevention and mental health literacy.
Public Evidence: World Suicide Prevention Day
MAHE’s mental health ecosystem integrates free counselling services, public education, expert-driven awareness programmes, student-led advocacy, and international academic collaborations. These initiatives ensure that students have access to preventive, responsive, and empowerment-oriented mental health support. Through sustained campus engagement and partnerships, MAHE actively promotes positive mental health culture.