Youth For Mental Health

What Youth For Mental Health does

Youth For Mental Health (YMH) is a youth-led, nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in New Delhi, India, that empowers university students to advocate for and support mental health through peer-based approaches. Over seven years the organization has scaled its reach to 1,000+ campuses, 5,000+ volunteers, 30,000+ community members, and 10,000+ program participants across India, anchored by flagship programs including the METROPOLIS research collaboration with King's College London, Sangath, O.P. Jindal Global University, and the Wellcome Trust; the annual Mental Health Confab tied to World Mental Health Day; the India for Mental Health advocacy initiative; and a portfolio of Learning & Training Programs (Bootcamps, internships, "Becoming").

YMH's service offering is delivered free of charge to its end beneficiaries (university students) and is not a software product; its "technology" footprint is non-existent in the conventional sense — no proprietary platform, no app, no API, no AI/ML system is disclosed. Distribution runs through campus-based peer networks, WhatsApp community groups, online volunteer sign-up forms (Google Forms), and in-person flagship events. The organization earns no commercial revenue and is funded primarily through grants from international research and development funders (most prominently Wellcome Trust for METROPOLIS) and through project-based partnerships with national and global organizations including the World Federation for Mental Health, Harvard Medical School, CMHLP, IMHA, and IMHA member bodies.

The business model is therefore a grant-funded nonprofit with a community-led and event-driven go-to-market: campus ambassadors and student volunteers recruit peers into programs such as the Saathi Support Programme, while partnerships with media brands (Yuvaa, PVR INOX, Instagram) and PR coverage amplify awareness. YMH serves three primary customer segments — university/college students as primary beneficiaries, mental health professionals and researchers as collaborative partners, and partner organizations/NGOs as co-delivery and co-design allies — with horizontal segmentation across India, concentrated operational depth in Delhi NCR.

Name

Youth For Mental Health

Legal name

Youth for Mental Health

Website

https://youthformentalhealth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Youth For Mental Health is a New Delhi-based, youth-led nonprofit founded in 2018 that delivers peer-based mental health advocacy, awareness campaigns, and research-backed programs (notably METROPOLIS with King's College London and Wellcome Trust) to university students across 1,000+ campuses in India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mental Health Advocacy

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (62142)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAJAIAB

School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Student Health, Safety & Wellbeing Services (Counseling, Mental Health, SEL, Safeguarding)

Keywords

• Youth mental health
• Peer support programs
• Mental health advocacy
• Campus mental health
• Mental health research

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grants and Funding: YMH operates primarily through grant funding from international research funders and development organizations. Major funding includes the Wellcome Trust grant supporting the METROPOLIS research programme. YMH does not charge for its programs and services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Youth for Mental Health (YMH) is a youth-led nonprofit that delivers peer-delivered mental health advocacy and support programs to university students and young people in India. Its portfolio centers on the METROPOLIS research programme (a Wellcome-funded peer-delivered depression intervention trial with King's College London), the annual Mental Health Confab event, the India for Mental Health advocacy initiative, Learning & Training Programs (Bootcamps, internships, "Becoming"), Digital Campaigns, the YMH Collective student engagement initiative, and the Metropolis Campus Volunteer Program operating across 1000+ campuses.

Product overview

Youth for Mental Health is a youth-led advocacy organization rather than a technology product company. Its offering consists of a portfolio of peer-based mental health programs and initiatives, primarily targeting university students and young people in India. The core programs include METROPOLIS (a research programme in partnership with King’s College London, Sangath, and JGU for peer-delivered depression interventions), Mental Health Confab (annual flagship awareness event), India for Mental Health (advocacy and resource initiative), Learning & Training Programs (Mental Health Bootcamps, internships, ‘Becoming’), Digital Campaigns, YMH Collective (student engagement), and volunteer programs. The organization does not offer a software product, platform, or API. Its impact is measured through campus reach (1000+ campuses), community members (30,000+), volunteers (5,000+), and participants (10,000+) across 7 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mental Health Confab YMH's annual flagship one-day event held to recognize World Mental Health Day, bringing together young people, mental health professionals, lived-experience advocates, artists, and social impact organizations for dialogue, performances, exhibitions, and curated sessions.
• METROPOLIS (Mechanistic trial of problem-solving and behavioral activation for youth depression) A Wellcome-funded research programme led by King's College London, in partnership with Sangath, YMH, and JGU, aiming to co-design and deliver peer-based psychological interventions (problem-solving and behavioural activation) for university students with depression in low-resource settings in Delhi NCR.
• India for Mental Health An initiative that empowers young people to advocate for mental health, access resources, and engage through creative digital and in-person spaces alongside a diverse coalition of stakeholders.
• Learning & Training Programs Educational programs including Mental Health Bootcamps, Summer and Winter Internships, Skills Development Training, Mental Health Explorations, and 'Becoming' that foster mental health awareness, skills, and youth leadership through reflective and experiential learning delivered in-person and online.
• Metropolis Campus Volunteer Program (Saathi Support Programme) Campus volunteer initiative supporting recruitment for the Saathi Support Programme as part of the METROPOLIS research project, offering peer support by trained students for those dealing with low mood and life challenges.
• YMH Collective A student engagement initiative offering mental well-being resources, volunteering opportunities, and advocacy tools to empower young people as changemakers in youth mental health.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1000+ campuses reached, 100+ initiatives, 5000+ volunteers, 30000+ community members, 10000+ participants in 7 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• King's College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's College London is the lead implementing institution for the METROPOLIS research programme. YMH serves as the Public Engagement Collaborator (PE Collaborator) for the project, which aims to co-design peer-delivered mental health interventions for university students.
• SangathcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSangath is a research partner in the METROPOLIS programme alongside King's College London, YMH, and JGU. Sangath and CMHLP also lead the Outlive initiative for which YMH served as Public Engagement Partner.
• O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerO.P. Jindal Global University is a research partner in the METROPOLIS programme, collaborating on the co-design of peer-delivered mental health interventions for university students in Delhi NCR.
• World Federation for Mental HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYMH served as the Official Partner of the World Federation for Mental Health for over 5 years to raise awareness, design youth-focused strategies, and amplify mental health advocacy worldwide during WMHD Global Campaigns.
• Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy (CMHLP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMHLP co-leads the Outlive initiative alongside Sangath and partners with YMH on public engagement, student workshops, storytelling campaigns, and campus-based rest integration in Delhi.
• YuvaamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerYMH collaborated with Yuvaa on digital media campaigns to host interactive events and create youth-led mental health conversations that fight stigma.
• PVR INOX PicturesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerYMH partnered with PVR INOX to host interactive digital events aimed at creating inclusive, youth-led mental health conversations.
• Harvard Medical SchoolmajorOthersYMH has an association with Harvard Medical School through project-based partnerships, expert engagements, and outreach support to programs.
• MQ Mental Health ResearchminorOthersYMH is associated with MQ Mental Health Research through project-based partnerships and expert engagements.
• India Mental Health Alliance (IMHA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMH is a member of the India Mental Health Alliance, engaging in initiative-focused collaborations and advocacy for youth mental health.
• AmahaminorOthersYMH is associated with Amaha (a mental health platform) through project-based partnerships and outreach support.
• Girl Up, United Nations FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMH is associated with Girl Up, United Nations Foundation, through collaborative projects and advocacy initiatives.
• University of GlasgowminorOthersYMH is associated with the University of Glasgow through initiative-focused collaborations and expert engagements.
• TEDxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYMH has partnered with TEDx for mental health advocacy events and talks.
• Special Olympics BharatminorOthersYMH is associated with Special Olympics Bharat through collaborative advocacy initiatives focused on inclusive mental health.
• Hibiscus FoundationminorOthersYMH is associated with the Hibiscus Foundation through project-based partnerships and outreach support.
• Children FirstminorOthersYMH is associated with Children First through collaborative advocacy and mental health initiatives.
• That Desi PsychologistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYMH collaborates with That Desi Psychologist on mental health content, campaigns, and advocacy.
• Light UpminorOthersYMH is associated with Light Up for mental health campaigns and awareness initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Wysa: Global AI-driven mental health chatbot platform with strong presence in India and the UK, targeting young adults and employees. Comparable as a technology-enabled youth mental health solution serving similar demographics, though delivered via AI rather than peer volunteers.

Direct peers

• Sangath: India-based mental health research and implementation organization that co-leads METROPOLIS alongside YMH. Comparable as a research-driven mental health NGO focused on low-resource settings and community-delivered interventions in India.
• Student Minds: UK-based student mental health charity that supports student-led groups, runs peer support programs, and partners with universities to improve student wellbeing. Directly comparable to YMH's UK counterpart in approach, scale, and target population.
• Amaha (formerly InnerHour): India-based mental health platform providing therapy, self-care tools, and psychiatrist consultations to Indian consumers, with growing focus on youth and student segments. Listed as a YMH partner and comparable as an Indian youth-focused mental health service provider.
• Active Minds: US-based student mental health nonprofit that mobilizes student-led chapters on college campuses to drive awareness, advocacy, and peer support. Directly comparable to YMH's model of campus ambassador networks and peer-driven mental health programs in an educational setting.
• YourDOST: Indian online counseling and emotional support platform focused on college students and young professionals, offering chat-based and video counseling. Closely comparable to YMH in target customer (Indian university students) and category (student mental health support), though delivered via a digital platform rather than peer volunteer network.
• iCall (TISS): Indian mental health counseling service run by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, providing telephone and online counseling, training, and outreach. Comparable as an Indian nonprofit mental health support service targeting young adults and the general population.
• The JED Foundation: US nonprofit focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among college and university students, providing programs, resources, and partnerships to higher-ed institutions. Closely aligned with YMH's university student mental health mission and peer/community-based delivery model.

Regional players

• Manas Foundation: India-based nonprofit focused on adolescent and youth mental health through clinical services, training, and advocacy. Comparable to YMH in serving Indian youth mental health needs, though with a more clinical orientation.
• Vandrevala Foundation: India-based mental health nonprofit providing a free national helpline, counseling, and awareness programs. Comparable as a large Indian mental health NGO offering direct support services and awareness campaigns to the Indian public.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-for-mental-health
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthformentalheallth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Youth For Mental Health