You Are Not Alone

Adolescent Mental Health Program (2016–2022)

Adolescence can be a tough phase with strange new experiences and major changes at the physical, emotional and social level. Academic performance, planning for the future, experiencing various emotions such as isolation, wanting to belong, and finding their identity, are some of the challenges that students at this age face. These challenges can in turn affect their mental well-being. Therefore, effectively addressing mental health at an early age can help adolescents lead fulfilling lives as adults.

Objective

You Are Not Alone (YANA) was initiated in 2016 for adolescents, teachers and parents with the aim of:

i) creating awareness about stress, anxiety, and depression
ii) normalizing conversations on mental health;
iii) reducing stigma associated with mental illness;
iv) encouraging help-seeking behaviour; and
v) building resilience.

Implementation

The program was implemented by partnering with credible mental health organizations. Awareness sessions were conducted on topics such as signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, bullying and cyber-bullying, coping techniques, and seeking help from credible sources. Students between class 6 to class 12 and their teachers were addressed in separate sessions. Informational booklets were handed out to all participants and were also made available for parents.

The program was delivered free of cost in private and public schools across Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Baroda, Dehradun, Bhavnagar, Cochin, Kolkata, Goa and Ahmedabad. It was delivered in six languages – English, Hindi, Tamil, Odia, Kannada, and Gujarati.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we integrated a hybrid model of session delivery including in-person and online sessions as per the requirements of schools.

Mode of Delivery
Online and Offline
Languages
English, Hindi, Tamil, Odia
Fee
Free of cost
Target Audience
Students from grades 6 to 12
Geography
India
Sessions Delivered In
Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad

20 %

of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions

50 %

of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and often go undetected and untreated

10 %

of children aged 5-16 years have a clinically diagnosable mental problem

Effectiveness Study

2016–2020

(Offline sessions, pre-pandemic)

Of 9,827 student respondents in the 12–18 years age group, 77.14% had not previously attended any mental health awareness session. After attending the YANA program sessions, 80% of respondents could differentiate between sadness and depression; 88% believed that experiencing mental illness was not a symbol of shame; and 90% believed that sharing thoughts or feelings with people they trusted was helpful.

2022–23

(Offline sessions, post-pandemic)

Of 4,000 student respondents in the 12–18 years age group, 97% said that mental health was as important as physical health and 88% believed that mental illness was not something to be ashamed of. While 79% felt that asking for help was not a sign of weakness, 90% believed that lending a listening ear to someone in need could help them.

Resources

Information booklets curated by subject-matter experts were made available to students, teachers, and parents. These covered various topics including understanding of mental health and illness, identifying symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression and seeking help from the right resources. Information on helplines was provided as well. To enhance reach, the program resources were translated into Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada and Odia.

For Students

The program was designed to help students understand how mental illness could affect them or their peers. Specific and relevant areas were covered in the sessions, including adapting to changes during adolescence, handling bullying, building resilience, using technology effectively, and taking care of oneself.

To access valuable resource materials covering key session topics – from adapting to adolescence changes and handling bullying to building resilience, using of technology, mental health, and practicing self-care, download the students booklet here.

For Teachers

The program for teachers sensitized them on the importance of mental health, enabling them to support their students and themselves, and equipped them with relevant resources.

Our Teachers Sessions prioritized mental health awareness, enabling educators to support both their students and themselves. To access the resources provided during the program, download the teachers booklet here

For Parents

Parents and guardians play an important role in the mental wellbeing of adolescents. With the help of our subject-matter experts, we created an online booklet featuring tips and suggestions on nurturing adolescents’ mental health.

To access the resources provided during the program, download the parents booklet here

Disclaimer: This booklet is for informational purposes only. The booklet is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall TLLLF be liable for damages arising from its use.

Testimonials

TLLLF has helped us reach over 7,000 children across Chennai. After each session, we are left overwhelmed by the student’s response. It is as though someone has spoken their language and also heard them out for the first time. Students are more at ease with their anxious thoughts and are ready to seek help rather than suffer in silence.

The teachers also felt the same. The Foundation’s approach to help teachers understand their students better, actually helped them understand themselves too.

Radhika Sasankh, Inkleweave - Chennai

During a session at one of the schools, a student walked up to me and said “Thank you for conducting the session and sharing the booklet. Now, at least I have helpline numbers to reach out to”. This was something which hit me, that I was able to help students out in some way.

Another time at a Government school for girls, while talking about bullying in classrooms, students shared personal experiences and how deeply it affected them. They were open and vocal about how these experiences had a huge impact on everyone. They also shared that these topics are not usually addressed or talked about due to stigma.

Priya Gupta, Trainer - ENRICH