RAHAT

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, in collaboration with RAHAT Charitable and Medical Research Trust, recently launched the Youth for Emotional and Social Support (YESS) Program, an innovative peer-support initiative designed to address the rising mental health challenges faced by college students across India. Developed by RAHAT Trust, a non-profit mental health organization in New Delhi, the YESS Program is grounded in the principles of Mental and Emotional First Aid (MEFA). It aims to empower students to recognize early signs of psychological distress, provide empathetic support, and connect peers with professional mental health resources.

Through a combination of structured learning, interactive role plays, and scenario-based exercises, participants were trained in basic communication and psychosocial support skills. The program also equipped them with well-being strategies and resources to refer students in distress to trained mental health professionals. The successful launch at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus marks the beginning of a broader effort to create inclusive spaces and mental health champions on college campuses in India.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Sujatha D. Sharma emphasized: “The YESS Program is a step towards creating safe and empathetic campus environments where students can look out for each other. By building peer-support networks, we hope to bridge the gap between distress and timely access to professional help.”

The YESS training was conducted at the BITS Goa Campus from 14th - 17th August, 2025 for selected 2nd - 4th year engineering students by the RAHAT team - Dr. Sujatha D. Sharma (Managing Trustee, RAHAT and Clinical Psychologist), Dr. Manasi Sharma (Research Director, RAHAT and Public Health Expert), Ms. Aprajita Sharma (Social and Behaviour Change Specialist) and Ms. Ameera Batra (Program Manager RAHAT and Counselling Psychologist).

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For other queries, write to <rahat@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in>

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