India mental health research workshop SEHAT study Bangalore drives policy

Discover how the India mental health research workshop SEHAT study Bangalore is shaping data-driven mental health policy and intervention strategies.

Mental health remains a vital yet under-addressed public health challenge in India. On July 24, 2025, the India mental health research workshop SEHAT study Bangalore brought together policy experts, academicians, and global researchers to discuss how evidence-based insights can help tackle the mental health burden across various socio-economic strata in India. Hosted at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), the workshop centered around the SEHAT (Survey of Health Trends) study and its policy implications.

The event highlighted data from a comprehensive panel survey using CMIE’s Consumer Pyramids Household Survey (CPHS) and emphasized interventions to support vulnerable communities, especially mothers, adolescents, and domestic abuse survivors.

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SEHAT: A Landmark Mental Health Study Backed by NIH

The SEHAT study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is one of India’s first mental health research initiatives to leverage large-scale panel data. It evaluates how social and environmental factors affect mental health, particularly focusing on issues such as maternal distress, adolescent depression, and the psychological implications of domestic violence.

What sets SEHAT apart is its evidence-based design and integration with India’s largest consumer dataset, CPHS. The research spans multiple Indian states and incorporates rigorous statistical and behavioral analysis. Findings from the study have already begun to shape health and social policy recommendations at both state and national levels.

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Thought Leadership and Collaboration at IIM Bangalore

Hosted by IIMB’s Centre for Public Policy (CPP), the workshop showcased cutting-edge research outputs and encouraged critical discussions around policy implementation. Key speakers included:

• Prof. Arnab Mukherji, faculty at IIM Bangalore and Principal Investigator of SEHAT, who presented the project’s scope and long-term vision.
• Dr. Arman Rezaee, health economist at the University of California, Davis, who shared results on maternal mental health and cost-effective interventions.
• Dr. Adam Larson, researcher at NIH, who emphasized the need for granular health data to inform scalable policy models in low-resource settings.

Their talks collectively addressed the cost effectiveness depression screening adolescents India primary care, a crucial factor in health budgeting and public health prioritization.

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Domestic Violence, Maternal Depression, and Child Health

One of the standout findings discussed during the workshop was the connection between behavioral intervention maternal mental health domestic violence India and positive child health outcomes. Researchers observed that targeted behavioral interventions for mothers exposed to violence not only improved their psychological well-being but also increased vaccination uptake among children—a critical metric in public health.

This insight is especially significant for policymakers working on universal health coverage, as it emphasizes the intergenerational benefits of addressing maternal mental health.

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Economic Evaluation and Cost-Effectiveness

Dr. Rezaee’s presentation delved into the cost-effectiveness of mental health screening for Indian adolescents, particularly in low-income settings. By modeling different scenarios—universal screening vs. targeted interventions—his research provides a blueprint for state governments considering the implementation of such programs.

The workshop’s emphasis on cost effectiveness depression screening adolescents India primary care signals a shift toward data-informed policy investments, ensuring that mental health initiatives are not only empathetic but also economically viable.

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Caregivers and Childhood Vaccination: An Overlooked Correlation

Another critical insight presented came from the SEHAT panel data insights child vaccination and caregiver mental health study. Researchers demonstrated that caregivers’ mental well-being significantly affects routine child immunization rates.

In India, where misinformation and access disparities often hinder immunization, such findings are valuable. By supporting caregiver mental health, especially among women in semi-urban and rural regions, public health departments could amplify the success rates of vaccination drives—a crucial national health goal.

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The Road Ahead: Strengthening Policy Through Evidence

With the support of institutions like NIH and IIM Bangalore, India is uniquely positioned to champion mental health equity. The SEHAT study serves as a replicable model for other low- and middle-income countries, offering a scalable, data-backed policy intervention framework.

This NIH funded mental health research collaboration India workshop is just the beginning of a broader movement to integrate mental health into India’s mainstream public policy. The discussions and collaborations that emerged from the event are expected to lead to pilot programs, academic courses, and government partnerships over the coming year.

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Additional Context: The Mental Health Gap in India

India bears one of the largest global burdens of mental disorders, accounting for 15% of global mental health conditions (Lancet, 2020). Yet, public spending on mental health remains below 1% of the total health budget. Events like the SEHAT workshop bring much-needed attention to this gap.

In a recent remark, Dr. Shekhar Saxena, former Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO, noted, “India’s transition to a mental health-inclusive healthcare system will require sustained investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and above all, reliable data. The SEHAT initiative is a step in the right direction.”

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Actionable Recommendations from the Workshop

Here are some proposed actions discussed during the workshop for policymakers and health agencies:

• Integrate mental health into maternal and child health programs
• Use panel data to track impact and course-correct strategies
• Promote public-private partnerships in health data research
• Scale behavioral health interventions through ASHA workers and PHCs
• Include mental health screening in school health checkups

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Resources for Students and Educators

For those interested in public policy, health economics, and research methodology, explore the following academic and educational resources:

• NCERT Courses – For foundational policy and health-related subjects
• Current Affairs – To track health and education news
• Free NCERT PDFs & Mind Maps – For study resources
• Notes, MCQs, Videos, and Syllabus – For structured learning content

Schools looking to build a digital presence or improve mental health awareness initiatives can connect with Mart India Infotech, an expert in institutional website development.

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FAQs

1. What is the SEHAT study in India focused on?
The SEHAT study evaluates mental health trends using CPHS panel data across India, focusing on maternal and adolescent mental health.

2. Where was the recent SEHAT mental health research workshop held?
The event was held at IIM Bangalore’s Centre for Public Policy on July 24, 2025.

3. How does maternal mental health influence child vaccination?
Research shows that better maternal mental health increases child vaccination rates, highlighting an intergenerational benefit.

4. Who funds the SEHAT mental health study in India?
The study is funded by the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health (NIH).

5. Why is behavioral intervention for domestic violence victims significant?
It improves maternal mental health and indirectly benefits children’s health and education outcomes.

6. What is the role of CPHS in SEHAT research?
CPHS provides large-scale panel data that enables in-depth analysis of health trends over time.

7. How is adolescent mental health addressed in the SEHAT study?
The study examines depression in adolescents and evaluates cost-effective screening models in primary care.

8. What was the focus of Dr. Arman Rezaee’s research presentation?
He presented findings on the economic efficiency of screening programs for youth depression in India.

9. How can schools implement similar research-backed interventions?
By collaborating with public health researchers and digital platforms for mental health awareness and screening.

10. What makes the SEHAT workshop significant in India’s health policy discourse?
It integrates global research, data-driven policymaking, and actionable strategies tailored for India.