Abstract

Mental health and wellbeing among children, adolescents, and caregivers in Jharkhand’s tribal districts are a growing concern due to harmful socio-cultural norms, inadequate access to health services, and a lack of trained mental health professionals. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) reveals that 23.5% of adolescents aged 15-19 exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety, or emotional distress, and only 19% of primary health care centres employ trained mental health personnel. In 2023-24 ChildFund India, in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM) and the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) Ranchi, launched an initiative aimed at improving mental health services for tribal communities.

Programming incorporated innovative, community-driven strategies, including the deployment of ‘Mentor Mothers’ and women’s groups. Jointly, these groups conducted over 1,000 home visits and counselling sessions to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and deter unproven practices such as witchcraft. More than 100 child-friendly mental health spaces were also established in primary health care centres and community spaces, empowering children and adolescents to express emotions and access early support. Additionally, key innovations focused on capacity strengthening, with over 50 master trainers and 500 frontline health workers trained to identify and manage mental health issues. Finally, tailored education materials and community-based awareness campaigns were developed to promote care-seeking behaviours.

The program’s outcomes included reaching 15,000 households, reducing self-reported stigma by 45%, and improving self-reported emotional regulation in 60% of adolescents and community mobilizers surveyed. By integrating mental health into existing healthcare systems and addressing cultural stigma, this initiative represents a sustainable community-driven model for improving child and caregiver mental well-being. Its collaborative approach also provides a replicable framework for addressing mental health disparities in underserved regions, empowering communities to prioritize the mental well-being of young people and recommendation for further research or programming.