The initiative is being rolled out across 51 slums, combining in-person sessions with digital outreach through social media. It focuses on equipping adolescents with practical skills to deal with challenges such as mental health concerns, substance abuse, physical well-being, and suicide prevention.

The programme, which began recently, will run until next year. Researchers plan to publish data on issues affecting adolescents, including depression, parental pressure, and addiction. The findings aim to assess the effectiveness of such interventions.

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At a policy symposium held on Monday, stakeholders including parents, students, government officials, and representatives from Unicef India, the Institute of Mental Health, and AIIMS Bibinagar discussed rising mental health concerns and the need for scalable solutions.

For some participants, the programme has had a direct impact. T. Rajeshwari, now a data entry operator, recalled intervening when her friend was contemplating suicide. "My best friend was about to attempt suicide and shared her thoughts with me. I immediately used what I learned from Anumati 2.0 to counsel her and then connected her with professionals. Her issue was with a loved one, but counselling helped, and today she is working in the same company as me," she said.

Parents involved in the initiative said it changed their outlook, helping them understand the importance of being approachable and supportive.

Professor Pallab K. Maulik, director of research at the institute, said the programme aims to improve adolescents' quality of life. "We are delivering life-skills education both in person and through social media. Our goal is to reduce depression and address issues like substance abuse and suicide risk. The project will eventually cover 105 slums across Delhi and Hyderabad," he said.

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A 12-year-old participant said he had fallen into drug use through his elder brother and often felt angry without it. "I even ran away from home twice," he said. After counselling, he now aims to rebuild his life and support his family.

Dr Salima Bhatia, a keynote speaker, highlighted the scale of the crisis. "India records around 38 adolescent suicides every day. It is like losing an entire classroom daily," she said, citing family stress, relationships, and exam pressure as key triggers. She called for a state-level resource centre to address adolescent mental health.

Researchers said adolescents in low-income neighbourhoods face multiple stressors, including family conflict, financial strain, overcrowded living conditions, and lack of privacy. Girls face additional challenges such as safety concerns, restricted mobility, and risks of interpersonal violence, contributing to anxiety and low self-esteem.