India launches groundbreaking DBT programme to combat rising suicide crisis
India is expanding access to structured mental healthcare through a new Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programme. The initiative, led by Mpower in partnership with the Behavioral Tech Institute, aims to address the country’s growing mental health crisis. With over 170,000 suicide deaths reported each year, nearly 40% of them among young adults, the need for evidence-based interventions has never been more urgent. Mpower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, has launched a large-scale DBT programme to support high-risk individuals, particularly those struggling with suicide and self-harm. The programme includes foundational and advanced training modules, case-based consultations, and team learning—all designed for real-world clinical use. Its first cohort is already underway in Mumbai as part of a year-long capability-building effort.
DBT is globally recognised for reducing suicide attempts, self-harm, and hospitalisations. In India, however, access to such structured interventions remains limited, especially within public healthcare. Mrs Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of Mpower and the Aditya Birla Education Trust, highlighted that India is at a turning point in mental health care. She emphasised that DBT can help close the gap between clinical demand and specialised support. The programme has brought together leading institutions, including NIMHANS, the Punjab Health Ministry, Sion Hospital, Nair Hospital, KEM Hospital, Thane Regional Mental Hospital, Mindset Wellness, and Masina Hospital. Over the next five years, Mpower plans to build a network of DBT-trained clinicians and introduce structured protocols across public and private healthcare systems nationwide.
The DBT initiative marks a significant step in strengthening India’s mental health infrastructure. By training clinicians and integrating evidence-based protocols, the programme aims to reduce suicide and self-harm rates. Its success will depend on sustained collaboration between healthcare providers and institutions across the country.
