About METROPOLIS
Mental health problems like depression are common among university students. METROPOLIS (Mechanistic Trial of Problem Solving and Behavioural Activation for Depression) is a four-year research programme through which we will design, deliver and evaluate low-cost, peer-led interventions that could improve student mental health in India and beyond. We will use problem solving and behavioural activation – two well-established strategies which improve symptoms of depression – as standalone early interventions for young people with depression.
Context
More than 280 million people worldwide are living with depression. It can affect people of all ages and research has shown university students have high rates of mental health problems. Depression can impact all aspects of a student’s life – from academic studies to work to relationships. It often occurs alongside other mental health problems, especially anxiety, and can also increase the risk of self-harm and suicide. India, where this programme is being implemented, is home to 20% of the world’s youth including one of the largest growing student populations globally. Care needs greatly outstrip existing service capacity resulting in a large treatment gap of >90%. We envision that the interventions arising from the METROPOLIS programme may offer a sustainable path towards the goal of rapidly scalable, low-cost strategies to reduce youth depression in countries like India and globally.
7
partner colleges
400+
young people engaged
20,000+
students reached
7
workshops conducted
Updated as of 3rd December 2024
