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Mental disorders are prevalent worldwide. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by mental disorders. Mental disorders impose a substantial burden if left untreated. In India, the prevalence of major mental and behavioral disorders is estimated to be 65 per 1000 population, which translates to 70 million patients. India's ability to treat, care for and rehabilitate mentally ill patients leaves much to be desired. Mentally ill people are almost never taken seriously; they are treated with little or no dignity and are often locked away. Most (75%) mentally ill patients live in villages, where access even to basic health care is difficult. A study aimed to assess the knowledge of GNM Diploma Nursing Students visited for clinical experience regarding prevention and management of mental illness. The study adopted descriptive design with survey approach. The study was conducted in Central Institute of Psychiatry. 150 Diploma Nursing Students were randomly selected by convenient sampling method and were assessed with hunter institute of mental health questionnaire for knowledge regarding prevention and management of mental illness. Diploma Nursing Students showed that the maximum number of subjects 90% were in the age group of 21-25 years, 06% were in the age group of 26-30 years, 04% were distributed in 31-35 years Among the total respondents under study, it is evident that 82% were identified as females and 18% males. Majority 52.7% were Hindus, 41.7% were Christians, 06% were Muslims and only 07% found as others. Results indicate 16.7% of the respondents were married, 83.3% were unmarried. Majority 76% of the respondents were residing in rural area and only 24% were residing in urban area. Regarding source of information gained on prevention and management of mental illness, the majority 82% of participants gained knowledge from book, 12% from workshop, 04% from seminar and only 2% from special training. The study revealed that Knowledge scores showed that 78% were having inadequate knowledge, 22% were having moderate knowledge and none of them having adequate knowledge towards prevention and management of mental illness. As a whole findings of the study revealed that majority of village health nurses had inadequate knowledge and practice. It shows that there is a great need to educate and motivate village health nurses about prevention and management of mental illness in order to reduce the mortality and morbidity related to mental illness.