The National Tele-Mental Health Programme in India has achieved a significant milestone, receiving over 10 lakh calls on its Tele-Mental Health toll-free number, an average of 3,500 calls per day. The programme, launched by the Government of India in October 2022 to expand mental healthcare across the country, operates 51 Tele-Mental Health Cells across all states and union territories.
Tele Manas toll-free helpline numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 provide multilingual support, facilitating interaction between callers and mental health experts.
The number of callers to the Tele-Manas helpline has seen a steady increase, from around 12,000 in December 2022 to over 90,000 in May 2024. This growth reflects growing awareness and increasing use of mental health services in the country. This growth also underlines the importance of continued investment and expansion of mental health initiatives to ensure everyone has access to the help they need.
In order to ensure continuous care and support for those accessing mental health services, the platform also offers call-backs for follow-up. By connecting existing mental health resources and establishing a comprehensive digital network, Tele-Manas has become an essential platform to address the mental health needs of the country.
The government's commitment to expand mental health services, especially targeting vulnerable populations, and ensuring support for all individuals and families across the country is an important milestone in India's ongoing efforts to address the mental health crisis. Integration with initiatives like eSanjeevani will further enhance the reach and effectiveness of the platform. By continuing to promote awareness and accessibility, Tele Manas can further contribute to addressing the mental health challenges the country is facing.