A recent national study across nine Indian states found that nearly one in three college students reported symptoms of depression. Recognising this urgent need, Fitterfly, India’s leading digital health company, has launched ‘Fitterfly Uplift’ — a structured, personalised mental wellness program designed for students and wider communities.
For lakhs of young people stepping into college each year, the transition often brings more than academic challenges. Long study hours, competitive pressure, and hostel life are fueling rising cases of stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Many students resort to smoking, alcohol, or substance use to cope. In severe cases, stress may lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
The crisis extends beyond campuses. Fitterfly’s own data shows that nearly 65% of members managing diabetes on its platform cite stress as a major factor affecting their health. With deep expertise in linking mental and physical well-being, Fitterfly has built Uplift to deliver structured, personalised care that goes beyond short counselling calls.
Unlike most services offering brief phone sessions with rotating therapists, Fitterfly Uplift pairs each participant with a dedicated clinical psychologist for one-hour live sessions. The program also connects with college teams, psychiatrists, and hospitals to ensure high-risk cases receive timely support.
The first rollout began at IIT Kharagpur, where Neha Verma, Head of Psychology & Wellbeing at Fitterfly, along with senior psychologists Nishul Gupta and Vinika Rawat, led a three-day workshop. The response was remarkable — over 650 students registered within 48 hours.
Prof. Koel Chowdhary, Associate Dean, Student Affairs at IIT Kharagpur, shared:
“We felt the need for our students to have direct access to trained mental health professionals without barriers or delays. Fitterfly Uplift meets that need effectively. We look forward to its impact and encouraging more students to seek support when needed.”
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Arbinder Singal, Co-founder & CEO of Fitterfly, said:
“IIT Kharagpur is just the start. We’re seeing strong interest from other campuses and corporate wellness teams across India that recognise the need for structured, measurable programs. With Fitterfly Uplift, our vision is to make professional mental health support accessible, consistent, and stigma-free — wherever it’s needed.”
With the success at IIT Kharagpur, Fitterfly Uplift is preparing to expand to other campuses, workplaces, and community spaces. The program offers a ready framework through workshops, consultations, staff training, and SOPs for high-risk cases — helping organisations strengthen mental well-being in a sustainable, impactful way.