Anti-stigma campaign, digital tool help mitigate mental health problems in slums: Study
A study conducted in New Delhi and Vijayawada found that a community-based anti-stigma campaign combined with a digital mental health tool reduced depression, self-harm, and suicide risks among adolescents in urban slums. The ARTEMIS project used multimedia campaigns to combat stigma and a digital system to screen and treat psychological distress in teens aged 10 to 19. Results showed statistically significant improvements in mental health knowledge, attitudes, and depression scores in the intervention group compared to the control group.
- ▪The ARTEMIS project targeted adolescents in 60 slum clusters across New Delhi and Vijayawada to address mental health challenges exacerbated by poverty and lack of access to care.
- ▪Researchers used locally tailored multimedia campaigns to reduce stigma around mental illness and a digital screening tool to identify and treat youth at risk of self-harm or depression.
- ▪After one year, the intervention group showed significantly better mental health knowledge, attitudes, and lower depression scores compared to the control group.
- ▪Findings published in The Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry indicate the intervention was effective and feasible despite logistical and social barriers.
- ▪The study highlights the potential of combining community engagement and digital health tools to improve mental health outcomes in underserved urban populations.
- ▪The George Institute for Global Health India led the study, emphasizing scalable solutions for India’s large adolescent population facing mental health issues.
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Anti-stigma campaign, digital tool help mitigate mental health problems in slums: StudyAnti-stigma campaign, digital tool help mitigate mental health problems in slums: StudyPublished on: Apr 30, 2026 2:38 PM ISTPTIShare viaCopy link New Delhi, Community-based anti-stigma campaigns and a digital mental health care tool helped reduce depression, self-harm and suicide risks among vulnerable teenagers across 60 slum clusters in New Delhi and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, a study has found.Anti-stigma campaign, digital tool help mitigate mental health problems in slums: StudyIndia is home to the world's largest adolescent population of 253 million, with about one in every five experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, according to the United Nations International…
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