Juveniles Accessing Mental Health Services: Transition to Scale Project

The Juveniles Accessing Mental health Services (JAMS) project was conceived and implemented between April 2021 to September 2023 by funding from the Grand Challenges Canada’s Proof of Concept funding. The JAMS Project, was specifically designed for children aged 12-18 in childcare institutions (CCIs). There is sufficient evidence that children in CCIs face multiple adversities and are prone to mental health problems. Despite this, these vulnerable children do not receive the appropriate knowledge to care for their mental health. This unique intervention empowers children and staff of CCIs with mental health knowledge, addressing not only mental health problems but also enhancing their positive mental health. A key component of the JAMS project is the creation and maintenance of Youth Friendly Spaces (YFS), which are safe environments within CCIs where children can learn and practice positive mental health skills in a non-judgmental fashion. The final component involves screening and referring children identified with mental health problems to appropriate mental health services.

The JAMS project, piloted in 7 CCIs across two states in India, has shown remarkable results. It has significantly improved the overall mental well-being of children in these CCIs. Children reported lower stress levels and appreciated the referrals for mental health services. Staff also noticed improvements in the children’s behavior and engagement with each other. This part of the project aims to expand the project to evaluate the sustainability and enhance the reach of the project to additional districts in the two states.