ARTEMIS study: community + digital intervention cuts adolescent depression in slums

New Delhi/Vijayawada, May. ARTEMIS — a first-of-its-kind large-scale study conducted across urban slums in New Delhi and Vijayawada — has yielded important findings on adolescent mental health.

What is ARTEMIS

ARTEMIS (Adolescent Resilience and Targeted Empowerment for Mental Improvement in Slums) tested the impact of community-based interventions combined with digital mental health tools. The study covered more than 2,400 adolescents.

Key findings

The study showed that community-based interventions paired with digital mental health support significantly reduced depression, self-harm, and suicide risk among vulnerable adolescents. Depression scores in the intervention group fell by 38%.

India's mental health challenge

Data presented at ANCIPS 2026 noted that nearly 60% of mental health conditions in India affect people under 35. It underscores a "youth mental health crisis".

UNICEF data

According to UNICEF, 7.3% of Indians aged 18-29 face mental morbidity; 1 in 7 aged 15-24 (14%) shows symptoms of depression. Rates have risen sharply post-pandemic.

Shortage of school counsellors

Researchers note that mental-health services are "almost entirely absent" across Indian schools and colleges — often one counsellor per 500 students at best. The gap is even deeper in disadvantaged communities.

Government response

The Health Ministry has agreed to study the ARTEMIS model and integrate it into the National Mental Health Programme. Expansion of the Tele-MANAS helpline and mandatory counsellors in all CBSE schools are also planned.

Looking ahead

The research team now plans to extend ARTEMIS to Bengaluru and Kolkata. The model is estimated to reach 100 million young people by 2030.