NEW DELHI: The Tele-Manas helpline, launched in 2022 to provide 24/7 mental health support, has received 16.6 lakh calls since its inception. The service is now available across all states and Union Territories, with 53 operational cells, according to the health ministry.
An official noted that a dedicated Tele-Manas cell has also been set up at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune to offer tele-mental health support to armed forces personnel and their families.
Tele-Manas, designed as a two-tier system, features Tier-1 with state Tele-Manas cells staffed by trained counselors and mental health specialists. Tier-2 connects individuals to district mental health program experts or medical college resources for in-person or eSanjeevani audio-visual consultations.
To access the service, individuals can dial the helpline’s toll-free number or short code. Depending on the care needed, a counselor will either provide assistance or refer the caller to a specialist.
A senior official from the ministry mentioned that video consultations are now available as an enhancement to the existing audio calling service. “This facility has been launched in Karnataka, J&K, and Tamil Nadu and will be expanded nationwide,” the official added.
India currently has about 0.75 mental health professionals per one lakh people, far below the recommended three psychiatrists per one lakh population. Dr. V K Paul, Niti Aayog member (health), recently emphasized the need to increase postgraduate psychiatry seats to meet the growing demand for mental health professionals.
He also highlighted the importance of training healthcare workers at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) to manage common mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. “We need to empower AB-HWCs across the country to handle these conditions and refer patients to higher centers when necessary,” Paul said.
