The initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing high-risk mental health conditions, with Mpower emerging as one of the early mental healthcare providers in the country to implement a structured and evidence-based DBT programme at scale, particularly for individuals vulnerable to suicide and self-harm.
The programme is being supported by Marsh India as part of its corporate social responsibility commitment to strengthening mental health initiatives in the country. It is being executed through an ongoing DBT Intensive Programme in Mumbai for the first cohort, marking the beginning of a year-long structured capability-building journey aligned with global standards established by the Behavioral Tech Institute.
Unlike short-term training models, the programme is designed as a sustained learning framework. It includes foundational and advanced training modules, continuous case-based clinical consultation, team-based learning structures, and real-world application in clinical settings, ensuring long-term professional capacity development among practitioners.
India continues to face a severe mental health burden, with more than 170,000 suicide deaths reported annually. Nearly 35 to 40 percent of these cases involve young individuals aged between 15 and 29 years, with notable variations across gender demographics. Despite this alarming situation, access to structured and evidence-based interventions for high-risk populations remains limited, particularly within public healthcare systems.
The first cohort of the programme brings together leading clinicians and institutions, including NIMHANS, Punjab Health Ministry, Sion Hospital, Nair Hospital, KEM Hospital, Thane Regional Mental Hospital, Mindset Wellness, and Masina Hospital. This multi-institutional participation reflects a growing national commitment to strengthening frontline clinical capacity in mental healthcare.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, is globally recognised for its effectiveness in reducing suicide attempts, self-harm behaviours, and psychiatric hospitalisations. Its structured and skills-based approach is particularly effective for individuals experiencing severe emotional distress and elevated suicide risk.
Over the next five years, Mpower aims to build a strong network of DBT-trained clinicians and facilitate the integration of structured DBT protocols across leading public and private healthcare institutions, with the objective of bridging the gap between clinical need and access to specialised care in India.
Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of Mpower and the Aditya Birla Education Trust, stated that India stands at a critical turning point in its mental health journey. She highlighted that while awareness is increasing, a significant gap persists between demand and access, especially for high-risk individuals. She emphasised that DBT is one of the most rigorously validated therapies globally for individuals in severe emotional distress, and that the collaboration aims to strengthen clinical capability and build resilient mental health systems by 2030.
Mr. Sanjay Kedia, Chief Executive Officer of Marsh India and President and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh India Insurance Brokers Private Limited, stated that mental health is fundamental to societal and economic resilience, and supporting structured, evidence-based approaches such as DBT aligns with the organisation’s commitment to building stronger and better-prepared communities.
Dean Lester, Chief Executive Officer of Behavioral Tech Institute, noted that India’s demand for high-quality, evidence-based mental health interventions is both urgent and substantial, and that the collaboration will help develop clinical capabilities aligned with global standards.
Mpower, backed by the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is a comprehensive mental health initiative that has completed a decade of impact in transforming mental health awareness and care in India. Since its establishment in 2016 under the leadership of Mrs. Neerja Birla, the organisation has focused on creating an inclusive ecosystem where individuals and caregivers receive professional support, compassionate care, and acceptance without stigma or discrimination.
Through an integrated multidisciplinary approach, Mpower operates across clinical services, outreach and awareness programmes, institutional partnerships, helplines, educational initiatives such as Minds Matter, and sports-based interventions including AMP. Over the past ten years, it has played a pivotal role in normalising conversations around mental health, reaching millions through care delivery, prevention initiatives, and large-scale collaborations, enabling individuals to seek support with dignity, confidence, and hope.
The initiative is positioned as a significant milestone in strengthening India’s mental healthcare framework through structured clinical capacity building, standardised interventions, and improved outcomes for individuals at high risk.
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