The urgency behind this effort is undeniable. Bengaluru is facing a hidden mental health crisis. High academic pressure, family conflicts, and the loneliness of city life are hitting the youth hard. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 100 suicides were reported in Bengaluru in 2024, showing just how intense urban life can get for young people and working professionals. Data from Mpower’s Bengaluru centre at Indiranagar further underscores the concern, revealing that young women aged 15–34 make up the majority of high-risk individuals seeking help for suicidal ideation — often linked to severe depression, anxiety, and relationship struggles.

As part of its youth-led preventive approach, Mpower also activates COPE (Counselling and Outreach for Peer Empowerment) Clubs across colleges in the city. These clubs create safe spaces for mental health dialogue through activities like Jenga of Hope, Hope Hunt, and student-led open mics. Beyond awareness, COPE trains 25 students per college as Youth Mental Health First Aiders empowering them to recognise early warning signs, provide peer support, and connect their peers to professional help when needed.

Parveen Shaikh, President, Mpower, added, “World Suicide Prevention Day is a powerful reminder that mental health cannot be ignored or left in the shadows. Our youth are the future of the country, and their wellbeing must be a collective priority. By engaging with them at the grassroots, we open safe spaces for dialogue, encourage them to voice their concerns without fear, and equip them with tools to cope with life’s pressures. This is not just about awareness for a single day, it is about building a culture of resilience, empathy, and support so that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.”

For those seeking immediate, confidential support, Mpower’s 1on1 mental health helpline is available 24/7 at 1800-120-820050. The service has become a crucial resource for thousands, offering a safe space for individuals to share and seek help without judgment.

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Bengaluru, July 30, 2025 – Today, the Founder and Chairperson of Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), Mrs. Neerja Birla, and DG CISF Sh. R.S. Bhatti, IPS, jointly reviewed the progress of Project Mann — a mental health initiative run by Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust. The project is being implemented under the MoU signed between CISF and ABET in November 2024.

Mpower’s qualified team of mental health experts have helped create awareness among the CISF personnel through awareness building, counselling, clinical interventions and training of CISF personnel.

Project Mann has been able to help 75,000 CISF personnel and their families till date. Mpower has also trained 8,506 CISF officers and sub-officers to identify and manage low-risk mental health issues and escalate serious cases to professionals. This two-tiered structure has made psychological support more accessible at the grassroots level.

Hyper-sensitive units such as IGI Airport, Parliament, Delhi Metro among others have had psychometric assessments of 21,000 personnel for early identification in case of potential issues. The initiative has resulted in counselling and interventions in the case of depression, marital discord, financial stress among others.

It is notable that the suicide rate of CISF has declined below the national average during the year 2024 and 2025 highlighting the impact of this initiative.

Considering the success and impact of Project Mann, DG CISF and Mrs. Neerja Birla have jointly decided to continue their support for the initiative. Highlighting the significance of this initiative DG CISF stated, “Mental health is as mission-critical as physical fitness for our personnel. This initiative strengthens our internal support systems and ensures that our personnel remain emotionally resilient, focused and operationally ready”.

Adding further, Mrs Neerja Birla Founder Chairperson Mpower, ABET said, “Our long-term partnership with CISF is a testament to what can be achieved when mental health is institutionalized. Over the past three years, Project Mann has supported more than 75000 personnel with counselling, psychometric screening, peer engagement and a 24×7 helpline across CISF units nationwide. We appreciate CISF’s commitment to holistic well-being of integrating wellness protocols and care into daily system resulting in a 40% reduction in suicide incidents as a positive outcome.”

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National, 30th August 2024: Mpower, the mental healthcare initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), proudly announces the launch of its new vertical: Athlete Mind Performance (AMP). Spearheaded by Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson Mpower, ABET, AMP is a significant step forward in helping athletes transform their game and reach championship levels. The launch was marked by an in-conversation between Mrs. Neerja Birla and Mr. Abhinav Bindra, India’s First Olympic Gold Medalist, where they discussed the critical role of mental health training alongside physical training for athletes.

This initiative has also garnered strong support from legendary sports personalities like Sania Mirza, Abhinav Bindra, Aparna Popat, Pullela Gopichand and Sourav Ganguly all of whom advocated for a sports environment where mental health is given equal importance to physical endurance and training.

AMP embodies our commitment to empowering athletes with psychological interventions tailored for performance enhancement, stress management, and mental toughness. Research also reveals that 33.6% of athlete’s experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, and up to 50% face depression after sport-related concussions. Anxiety disorders affect 21% of athletes, with female athletes nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression compared to their male counterparts. AMP, as part of Mpower, is committed to addressing both sport-specific mental health needs and the overall well-being of athletes, fostering their long-term development through holistic support.

Speaking at the AMP launch, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson Mpower, ABET said, “The need for mental health support in sports is critical, as athletes face immense pressure both on and off the field. Internationally, the power to build mental endurance in sports is increasingly recognized, with athletes who prioritize mental conditioning often leading the charge in high performance. Indian athletes like Deepika Kumari and Neeraj Chopra have already begun to highlight the crucial link between mental health and athletic success. By focusing on mental resilience and preparedness, our aim is to support athletes perform at their best, reach new heights in their careers, and win accolades for India on national and international platforms. The launch of AMP is a step towards embedding this essential support into the fabric of sports training in India.”

Echoing this sentiment, Mr Abhinav Bindra, India’s First Olympian Gold Medalist too shared, “In my journey as an athlete, I’ve come to realize that true sporting excellence is built on a foundation of mental resilience, which in turn, is deeply rooted in our mental wellbeing and overall health. Human wellbeing must be at the heart of performance; it’s the cornerstone of every success story in sport. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Birla for her unwavering commitment to mental health in sports. Just as physical training strengthens an athlete’s body, fostering mental resilience shapes a champion’s mindset. As a member of the International Olympic Committee’s working group on Mental Health, I am deeply committed to the cause, ensuring that athletes, their coaches, and sports organizations prioritize the psychological resources necessary for success both on and off the field.

For those ready to embark on this transformative journey, AMP’s sports psychology services are now available.

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