: Representatives and mental health experts from BRICS countries have come together at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to discuss ways to improve mental health support for children, adolescents and young people. The discussions are focused on eliminating stigma and discrimination, encouraging early intervention and making mental healthcare more accessible and inclusive.
The deliberations are taking place during the 11th edition of the international Together Against Stigma (TAS) Conference, being held from November 12 to 14 at AIIMS. India is hosting the conference for the first time, and it is also the first time the event is being organised in a low- and middle-income country.
Focus on Children's Voices and Early Support A key highlight has been the BRICS high-level panel discussion, involving representatives from India, Brazil, South Africa, Kazakhstan and Malaysia. Participants emphasised that children and young people should have a meaningful role in shaping mental health policies and support systems. The discussions highlighted the importance of school-based awareness programmes, early identification of emotional distress, community-level interventions and evidence-based approaches to reducing discrimination.
International Cooperation for Inclusive Care The conference is being organised by The George Institute for Global Health in collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and UNICEF India, with support from international psychiatric and social psychiatry organisations. Experts also discussed research findings from initiatives focused on adolescents in urban slums and tribal communities. These studies highlighted the importance of designing mental health awareness programmes according to the needs and circumstances of different communities.
The broader objective is to strengthen cooperation among countries, improve access to timely care and ensure that no child or young person faces discrimination because of mental health challenges.
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