Yuva spandana – A youth mental health promotion model in India – Design, methods and progress

Abstract

A unique youth mental health promotion program called Yuva Spandana is implemented and functional across all districts within Karnataka. Trained guidance providers named Yuva Parivarthakas (YPs) and Yuva Samalochakas (YS) provide support to youth having issues at Yuva Spandana Kendras (YSKs). We highlight the process of development of the program "Yuva Spandana" into a sustainable community-based youth mental health promotion model addressing youth issues across Karnataka and describe the profile of beneficiaries attending YSKs in Karnataka between 2017 and 2019. Yuva Spandana has evolved over time and got established in local-self-governments and communities.