India's Campuses Lag in Digital Student Mental Health

Indian universities are urged to more effectively leverage digital tools for student mental health, according to a NIMHANS research publication. The study calls for institutions to establish robust policies for data governance, privacy, and transparency concerning digital offerings. These platforms are seen as valuable supplements to existing support systems, not replacements for human interaction.

The research identifies key challenges, including a lack of evidence from developing nations, varying digital literacy levels, and the prevalence of unregulated apps. To overcome these, effective implementation requires features like automated nudges for help-seeking, clear crisis pathways, and integration with offline services.