Vijayawada: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to prevent suicides and reduce psychological stress among medical students, Dr NTR University of Health Sciences has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Institute India to provide structured mental health training to medicos across the state.The MoU was signed in the presence of secretary (medical & health) Saurabh Gaur at the university premises in Vijayawada on Friday. Under the agreement, specialised training programmes will be conducted for all first-year MBBS students of the 2025-26 batch studying in both govt and private medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh. The sessions will focus on promoting mental wellbeing, equipping students with stress-coping mechanisms, and helping them identify and overcome suicidal thoughts. The training will be conducted on college-wise scheduled dates.QPR Institute India will conduct the training programmes through Dr Aparna Uppal, a US-based Indian-origin child psychiatrist and director of Emotional Assessment of Students by Educators (EASE), who is also associated with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.Gaur said the programme will be implemented for five years beginning from the 2025-26 academic year. He also clarified that the expenditure for conducting the programmes for students enrolled in private medical colleges will be borne by Dr NTR University of Health Sciences. The programmes will be rolled out in a phased and college-wise manner to ensure effective reach, Gaur stated. He added that the initiative will set a national benchmark in addressing mental health and suicide prevention among medical students through early intervention and institutional support.Health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav said the programme is designed for first-year MBBS students, who are vulnerable to high levels of academic pressure and emotional stress during their transition into medical education. He said this is the first instance in the country wherein such a comprehensive and structured agreement is being implemented exclusively for medical students. He noted that multiple studies have highlighted elevated stress levels among first-year MBBS students, prompting the govt to introduce targeted intervention to support their mental and emotional development.
