More than 20 schools across Meghalaya have adopted Project MATE (Mind Activation Through Education), an initiative by AIIMS-Delhi to help students manage stress and anxiety through structured mental wellness strategies. The programme, developed by Dr. Nand Kumar, Professor of Psychiatry at AIIMS, is being implemented under the Meghalaya Programme for Adolescent Wellbeing with CSR support from Oil India Limited. It targets students from Classes VI to VIII, promoting holistic development and mental resilience.
“Today’s students face a host of pressures—from academics to online distractions,” said Dr. Kumar. “Project MATE equips them with tools for emotional balance and mental strength.” A key element of the programme is the MATE-5 concept, which encourages children to form a circle of five trusted peers, addressing emotional isolation common in nuclear families. Project MATE involves experiential workshops for students, parents, and teachers, creating a broader support system within the school environment.
The initiative has gained national attention, with other states expressing interest. To encourage wider participation, MATE Excellence Awards were recently conferred at AIIMS-Delhi to students promoting peer empathy and emotional well-being.