NIMHANS Designated Nodal Body for BRICS Centres of Excellence in Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru was named the central nodal institution for the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence (CoE) in mental health. The decision was formalized during the multilateral proceedings at the summit.

NIMHANS is an Institute of National Importance operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The BRICS CoE initiative seeks to build shared capabilities, facilitate evidence-based policy formulation, and facilitate collaborative psychiatric and neurological research across member nations.

Global health data shows rising psychiatric disorders in emerging economies. The network will focus on youth mental wellness, community-based intervention models, and digital mental health platforms, drawing from India's Tele-MANAS framework.

This topic is vital for UPSC Health Policy and Social Justice sections. Questions can focus on NIMHANS' status as an Institute of National Importance, India's leadership in digital health initiatives, and multilateral public health cooperation models within BRICS.