Bhubaneswar: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here set up a counselling and wellness centre on Thursday to help students and staff members efficiently fight mental health problems.

The centre will initially cater to the requirements of staff members and students before being opened to public.

A team of mental health professionals, includeing psychiatrist Shree Mishra, psychiatric nursing faculty member Renju Sussan Baby and associate professor Nandakumar Paniyadi will offer 24x7 counselling services.

"Mental health problems have emerged out of rapid societal change, change in family dynamics, and social media influences among the youth that needs attention and prompt measure to restore wellness and positive mental health. The centre will help in this matter," said AIIMS director Gitanjali Batmanbane.

AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, is first among the six new AIIMS in the country to have the facility on campus. Sources said the centre will soon expanded to help the general public.

During the inauguration, two helplines - 08280117000 and 08280118000 - and an email id - cwc@aiimsbhubaneswar.edu.in - were unveiled for round-the-clock service. People in need can get help straightaway by giving a call or e-mailing the institute.

Experts said such centres are a need of the hour for all major and minor institutions in order to help people fight mental health problems. "It is a highly competitive world and the students are getting pressurised in different ways. They need special attention," said psychiatrist Mishra.

Various educational institutions here have witnessed a number of such mental health problems in recent years. A girl committed suicide in a school here last December, while a nursing student attempted suicide on April 9.

AIIMS dean Vikas Bhatia said: "The centre is the first one of its kind in Odisha and we will provide all facilities for overall development of our staff members and students."