Tele-MANAS Helpline Crosses 42 Lakh Calls, Expands Mental Health Support Across India

The Centre has also said the programme now operates through 53 Tele-MANAS Cells across 36 states and Union Territories, with counselling available in 20 languages.

More than 42 lakh calls have been handled through the Tele-MANAS helpline since its launch, marking a significant milestone in India's effort to expand access to mental healthcare through digital services.

The Centre has also said the programme now operates through 53 Tele-MANAS Cells across 36 states and Union Territories, with counselling available in 20 languages.

The programme is jointly monitored by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), which serves as the nodal institution for the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP).

According to the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, regular reviews are conducted to assess implementation and strengthen service delivery across the country.

“The government is continuously strengthening the NTMHP and Tele-MANAS to improve accessibility, quality, and continuity of mental healthcare services across the country,” the Minister added.

To further improve accessibility, the government launched the Tele-MANAS mobile application on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2024. The app enables users to seek support for a broad range of mental health concerns, from emotional well-being and stress management to clinical mental health conditions.

In addition, the programme has expanded beyond voice-based counselling by introducing video consultation services, allowing individuals to access more comprehensive mental health support remotely.

The NTMHP was launched on October 10, 2022, to strengthen access to mental healthcare by leveraging digital technologies.

Introduced as the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme, it aims to make mental health services more equitable, affordable, and accessible, particularly for people who may face barriers in reaching healthcare facilities.

Under the programme, the government launched the toll-free Tele-MANAS helpline (14416) to provide round-the-clock mental health counselling and immediate support.

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