RFP - Development of Technological solutions for Mental Health Interventions

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About the Organization

iCALL, a pioneering and empowering technology assisted mental health initiative, was started in 2012 as a project at the School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. iCALL Psychosocial Helpline was introduced in order to bridge the vast mental health treatment gap in India; and to make accessible, affordable, anonymous, professional counselling services available to those experiencing psychosocial distress, particularly those who belong to the marginalised communities. Recognised as an ‘Innovative Life Saving Technology initiative’ and a ‘Mental health innovation’ iCALL is a national level telephonic and email-based counselling service for individuals across all age groups (with a special emphasis on vulnerable groups). iCALL believes that distress is psychosocial in nature and needs to be contextualised in people’s lives. iCALL adopts a strengths-based approach to its work. The helpline provides information, emotional support and referral linkages. It is a free, multi lingual and professionally run service. iCALL’s services address a variety of issues such as emotional distress, mental health problems, relationship concerns, sexuality issues, gender-based violence, academic concerns etc. Apart from service provision, iCALL also conducts research, capacity enhancement and awareness generation activities in the area of mental health in collaboration with state Governments, civil society organizations and international organizations

About the Proposal

The broad objective of the project will be creation of an effective service delivery response for addressing youth mental health concerns. Young individuals are vulnerable to experiencing unique life stressors, and also to the resulting mental health problems in India. Given the overall mental health treatment gap in India and particularly that for young people, there is a need for effective services for addressing mental health concerns of young people. Such services need to be youth friendly. They need to be cognizant of the unique life challenges faced by young people. They need to be accessible and affordable. Given the linguistic diversity in a country like India, the services need to be multilingual. Young people need safety and control in accessing mental health services. Hence it is necessary that such services are confidential, anonymous and available in multiple formats. Technology definitely holds a promise of crossing geographical barriers and reaching to young people in providing the above stated services and support.

 iCALL Psychosocial Helpline aims to collaborate with a technical partner to extend mental health support via technology assisted mediums. The objectives of this project are as follows:

• To Provide multimodal technology assisted youth friendly mental health services that are accessible and affordable, and of good quality
• To create contextually relevant self-help content and resources on issues of youth mental health for alleviating distress and promoting well-being
• To provide multi modal technology assisted services for providing therapeutic and psycho social support for youth mental health concerns
• To create text based synchronous services to address issues of suicide and self-harm

The purpose of this RFP is to invite bids from organizations developing technical solutions for offering mental health services to the community. iCALL will collaborate with a technical partner for the following:

 Development of a Youth Mental Health App: This proposed app will house resources on selfassessment, awareness and self-help strategies in the area of youth mental health. These resources will aim to serve as a first aid response for those in distress or with mental health problems, or for those who wish to promote their well-being. Given the linguistic diversity in India, the app will create these resources in English as well as in one or two regional languages to ensure wider reach and access. For those young individuals who wish to connect to a mental health professional, the app will further provide linkages to iCALL’s telephone, email based and proposed chat based services. As mentioned earlier, iCALL’s free telephone and email-based services are offered by trained professionals, and are confidential and anonymous in nature. They adopt a strengths-based approach. iCALL’s telephone-based services are multilingual; thus, ensuring reach and access by a diverse group of young individuals.

 Development of Text based crisis (suicide and self-harm) counseling services: This synchronous text-based service will be run by trained professionals, and will provide the immediate care that is needed to de-escalate the crisis, and create an environment of calm, safety and empathy. The young individual then can be connected to iCALL’s helpline, or be referred to a face-to-face mental health service (based on the National crowd sourced list of mental health professionals compiled by iCALL) in their regional area. Given the research that states that issues of suicide and self-harm among young individuals in India being related mostly to problems of daily living (National Crime Record Bureau, 2019), whenever needed the counselor will also refer young individuals with other services such women’s NGOs, one stop crisis centers, de-addiction facilities, support groups, shelters etc. The counselors would also encourage the young individual to follow up with any of the services (phone, email or chat) in case of further distress.

Eligibility

• The agency, should have a minimum experience of 5 years of developing technological solutions and apps that are youth friendly
• Knowledge of social development sector is desired
• Agency should have relevant experience of developing solutions for mental health and should have professionals who understand the sensitivity of addressing crisis concerns.
• All claims cited by the agency should be adequately substantiated in the proposal.
• Agency should have sufficient resources to offer the continuous technical support

How to Apply

TISS invites Online bids under single stage, two envelope systems from eligible bidders for the following procurement or services:

Details of tender(s) i.e. Estimated Cost, EMD, Tender Fees, Time limit etc. is available on http://www.tiss.edu/careers-tenders/ and https://www.tenderwizard.com/TISS

 PROCUREMENT / SERVICES for Development of Technological solutions for Mental Health Interventions, iCALL. Details of tender(s) i.e. Estimated Cost, EMD, Tender Fees, Time limit etc. is available on http://www.tiss.edu/careers-tenders/ and https://www.tenderwizard.com/TISS

Tender documents may be downloaded from the TISS e-Procurement Portal https://tenderwizards.com/TISS or TISS website www.tiss.edu

Last Date for Submission (Online) 30.06.2022 – 12 PM

For more information please check the Link

Tags Healthcare and Healthtech Innovations and Technology Others