62 Colleges Bolster Campus Mental Health Systems Under COPE Initiative

A year-long youth mental health initiative implemented across 62 colleges has reached more than 1.12 lakh students aged 18 to 21, strengthening institutional support systems and peer-led interventions within higher education campuses.

The programme, rolled out by Mpower — an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust — was conducted under the COPE (Counselling and Outreach for Peer Empowerment) model. It focused on structured awareness sessions, early identification of distress, and building peer-support networks among students.

The initiative builds on discussions and commitments made at the Mpowering Minds Youth Mental Health Summit 2025, with an emphasis on integrating mental health frameworks directly into college systems rather than treating them as standalone awareness efforts.

According to organisers, over 1,12,000 students participated in structured sessions designed to help recognise early signs of emotional distress and encourage timely intervention. A follow-up survey conducted one year after implementation assessed the impact and progress across participating institutions.

Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, said mental health must become an embedded component of educational institutions. She highlighted that young women have emerged as key peer-support leaders across campuses, playing a central role in normalising conversations and driving student-led change.

“Mental health cannot remain reactive; it must become an integral part of the structure of our educational institutions,” she said, adding that the goal is to make support systems visible, accessible and proactive while sharing learnings with wider stakeholders.

Organisers said the programme demonstrates how institutional frameworks combined with peer leadership can strengthen early intervention systems, positioning campuses as frontline spaces for youth mental well-being.