Jaipur: Amid a rise in mental disorder cases after Covid-19, North Western Railway (NWR) has introduced a 3D mental health model that shifts focus from diagnosis to personal action. Moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach, the model explains well-being through three linked pillars—nature, nurture and signature—adding a new perspective to mental health care.The ‘signature’ pillar focuses on personal agency, highlighting habits and choices that help protect and improve mental health. These include proper sleep, exercise, mindfulness, avoiding substance use, staying socially connected, and practising compassion, gratitude and creativity. The model emphasises that even when biological or social factors increase risk, individuals can build resilience through intentional actions and support.
“Your DNA is not your destiny. The new 3-D model, highlights nature, which is the biological base of the mind, which includes genes, brain chemistry, and other physical factors that affect mood and mental health. It is signature that empowers you to design the course of your own lives, which is a key dimension of good mental health,” Dr Ram Matoria, additional chief health director (NWR), a neuropsychiatrist, who devised the model told TOI. Unlike older models that focus only on nature and nurture, this approach adds “signature” to show a practical path to wellness. NWR noted that choices like therapy, mindfulness, and strong relationships can change a person’s mental health direction, which can be defined as signature. According to the model, “nurture” is how the social and environmental forces shape a person over time. It includes early attachment and childhood experiences, including adversity. It also includes social and economic conditions, inequality, cultural beliefs, and access to care. Daily and long-term stressors—work pressure, relationship conflict, and wider social change—also affect mental health. NWR is also linking it to a “Holistic Wellness Express” for railway beneficiaries, covering nature, nurture, and signature together.
