India's First Large-Scale DBT Programme Launches to Combat Youth Suicide Crisis

Mpower, part of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, has launched India’s first large-scale Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programme. The initiative aims to address the urgent need for structured mental healthcare, particularly for those at risk of suicide and self-harm. With over 170,000 suicide deaths reported annually in the country, nearly 40 percent involve young people aged 15 to 29. The DBT Intensive Programme has begun in Mumbai with its first cohort. This marks the start of a year-long effort to train clinicians and build capability in evidence-based mental health treatment. Mpower has partnered with the Behavioral Tech Institute to bring globally recognised DBT protocols to India.

DBT is widely proven to reduce suicide attempts, self-harm, and psychiatric hospitalisations. Despite its effectiveness, access to such structured interventions remains limited, especially within public healthcare systems. To bridge this gap, Mpower has collaborated with leading clinicians and institutions to strengthen mental health support. Over the next five years, the organisation plans to create a network of DBT-trained professionals. The goal is to implement structured DBT protocols across major public and private healthcare institutions. Marsh India is supporting the programme as part of its corporate social responsibility focus on mental health initiatives.

The launch of this programme expands access to specialised care for high-risk individuals. By training clinicians and embedding DBT in healthcare systems, Mpower aims to reduce self-harm and suicide rates in India. The initiative also sets a foundation for broader adoption of evidence-based mental health treatments nationwide.