Amid a worrying rise in suicide cases among children across the country, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has launched a new mental-wellness initiative aimed at early intervention in schools. Head of the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS Delhi, revealed details of the newly introduced MATE program—Mind Activation Through Education in his interview.
Prof. Kumar explained that the MATE program works to enhance emotional awareness among schoolchildren and equip them with the ability to seek support when needed. It aims to detect mental-health concerns early and guide children towards healthier behavioral patterns, helping create a safer and more responsive school ecosystem. The initiative has been developed in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and rolled out in Delhi-NCR and parts of the Northeast.
The program’s approach also targets lifestyle-related issues in children—such as hypertension, obesity, behavioral disorders. The initiative is the “MATE Five” concept, which encourages every child to have at least five real friends with whom they can comfortably share their feelings. “We are trying to teach children to choose real friends over reel life,” Prof. Kumar said.
Prof. Kumar also highlighted the crucial role of the home environment in shaping a child’s brain. “Your home shapes your brain,” he said, emphasizing that marital conflict between parents directly impacts a child’s emotional stability and self-esteem. According to him, unresolved disputes not only harm children but also lead to physical as well as mental health issues.
