Project Manthan: A Beacon of Hope for Tribal Youth
The Chhattisgarh government has initiated efforts to empower tribal children

“When the mind is happy, I experience a lot of happy thoughts. Sometimes, I feel like I can speak my mind and share my happiness with the world.”
Lalita (name changed) is one of approximately 200,000 children currently staying in a tribal residential institution in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, India. With a mostly rural and significantly diverse tribal population of over 26 million, children under the age of 18 years comprise 41% of the state's population. According to NFHS 5 data, 5.6% of children under 18 years of age have experienced the death of one or both parents. Additionally, while school attendance is universal, only 61% of children continue their higher secondary education, and 3% of girls (15-19 years) have begun child-rearing.
The Government of Chhattisgarh recognized the need to give children better access to education and livelihood opportunities. To this end, it established tribal residential institutions. These institutions provide a positive environment for children, particularly those from far-off areas. Here, they can receive quality education and career development opportunities.

Since these institutions serve as residential learning programmes, children stay away from their families, which is a very different experience for them. While some embraced their new surroundings, others reported missing their home and family and needing time to adjust to their new routines.

“Mental health counselling is required because these children, who come from far-flung areas, miss their parents who live in villages. Sometimes at night, they cry quite a bit, thinking about home. Even in school, if they face any challenges, they try to run back home.” – Oneshwar Jhaadi, Superintendent, Asta Gurukul
This led to the state government setting up Project Manthan. Since 2020, this initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Tribal and Scheduled Caste, Chhattisgarh, and UNICEF India, has connected mental health professionals with residential institutions in six districts across the Bastar region: Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Dantewada, and Sukma.
As part of the initiative, superintendents are supported through technical training sessions that enable them to serve as guardians for children, ensuring their education and physical, mental, and social well-being.
Additionally, the department conducted group sessions with children in all intervention institutions to better understand their needs and ensure each child received enough time and guidance from their counsellor.

The Department of Women and Child Development received support through capacity building and psychosocial group sessions. The District Mental Health Program (DMHP), a key government initiative, was enhanced by offering mental health services in outpatient departments and through outreach activities. To encourage multi-stakeholder involvement, regular review meetings with district officials were held.

“We organize quite a few sessions and activities with the children. We teach them breathing and hand exercises which are quite beneficial. We’re also organizing some cultural programmes that encourage them to be less hesitant in life’ and bring forth the values they believe in,” says Rochika Deshmukh, Superintendent, ST Girls Hostel.
Project Manthan is driven by a hopeful vision to foster a nurturing environment of psychosocial support for children in residential institutions. By focusing on enhancing mental well-being, early identification of mental health concerns, and ensuring access to mental health services, the project is making a significant positive impact.
Currently, Project Manthan is reaching out to over 1,000 superintendents, 1,300 caregiving staff, and 50,000 children and adolescents, creating a ripple effect of care and support.
Each intervention has provided valuable insights, guiding the design and expansion of future initiatives. With a deeper understanding of the children's lived experiences and the vital link between mental health and child protection, the project is gradually integrating child protection themes, ensuring a holistic approach to the well-being of every child involved.