Support, Advocacy, and Mental Health Interventions for Children in Vulnerable Circumstances and Distress: A Unique Public Child Mental Health Initiative in India

Abstract

Support, Advocacy, and Mental health interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances And Distress (SAMVAD) is a National Initiative and Integrated Resource for Child Protection, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Care, established by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; this initiative is located in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS. With the aim of enhancing child and adolescent psychosocial well-being, through the promotion of transdisciplinary and integrated approaches to mental health and protection, SAMVAD was established to extend its support and activities to all the states in the country. It comprises a multidisciplinary team of childcare professionals, with expertise in training and capacity building, program and policy research pertaining to child mental health, protection, education, and law.