Government of India
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Tele MANAS: Revolutionizing Mental Health Care
in India
Over 14.7 Lakh Calls Served in Two Years, Transforming
Mental Healthcare Accessibility
Posted On: 13 OCT 2024 7:18PM
Introduction
The National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), launched by the Government of India
on October 10, 2022, marks two years of significant contributions to the nation's mental
healthcare system. As part of this initiative, Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and
Networking Across States) was introduced as a toll-free helpline (14416) available
nationwide, offering a wide range of mental health services. Through this digital platform,
individuals can access telephone-based counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatric
consultations, and referral services, including urgent care, without the barriers of distance
or cost.
Tele MANAS has made mental healthcare more accessible to millions across India, ensuring
that people, especially in remote areas, receive timely support. The program’s ability to
deliver mental health services on such a broad scale has drawn praise from global health
authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) hailed Tele MANAS as an innovative and
effective model for delivering mental health care.
Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, congratulated the Ministry of Health for
the program’s success over the past two years, noting that the WHO’s review of Tele MANAS
highlighted its potential to significantly improve mental health outcomes. He also
emphasized the vital role of primary healthcare centers, particularly Ayushmann Arogya
Mandirs, in supporting mental well-being through this initiative, making it a cornerstone of
India’s public health framework.
As Tele MANAS enters its third year, its achievements reflect a strong commitment to
addressing mental health challenges, ensuring that care is available to everyone, no matter
where they are in the country.
Need for Tele MANAS
India, home to 18% of the global population, faces a significant mental health crisis, with
mental disorders being the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) and
suicide ranking as the third leading cause of death in many states. National studies reveal
that 15% of India’s adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention,
yet the treatment gap ranges from 70-92%, leaving millions without access to care.
Although the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 enshrines access to mental health as a statutory
right, over 11 crore people in India still suffer from mental health disorders, with 80% not
seeking help. Each year, more than 1 lakh people die by suicide, while countless others
attempt to end their lives, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
Tele MANAS was established to bridge this gap and make mental healthcare accessible to all.
By offering counseling, psychotherapy, and referral services via telephone, the program
provides a lifeline to individuals who might otherwise be unable to seek help. Most mental
health issues do not require specialized care but can be managed effectively by trained
healthcare providers, ensuring that no individual faces discrimination or neglect due to
mental illness. Access to mental healthcare is a fundamental human right, and Tele MANAS
is a vital step toward realizing that right for millions of people across India.
Aim & Objectives
The primary aim of Tele MANAS is to provide universal access to equitable, affordable, and
quality mental health care through a 24x7 tele-mental health service, forming a key digital
component of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). This service is available
across all Indian States and Union Territories, with assured linkages to ensure seamless care.
Key objectives include:
Expanding Access: Scaling up the reach of mental health services nationwide, ensuring
that anyone across India can access support at any time through dedicated 24x7 tele-
mental health facilities in every State and Union Territory.
Building a Comprehensive Mental Health Network: Establishing an integrated system
that goes beyond counseling by offering medical and psychosocial interventions, video
consultations with specialists, e-prescriptions, follow-up care, and connections to in-
person services.
Reaching Vulnerable Populations: Prioritizing mental health services for vulnerable
and difficult-to-reach groups, ensuring no one is left without essential care.
Tele MANAS Services
Tele MANAS offers 24/7, free mental health support through phone-based services, ensuring
that individuals across India can easily access the help they need. The service is structured in
a two-tier system to optimize care delivery and enhance support.
Tier 1 comprises state Tele MANAS cells staffed with trained counsellors and mental health
specialists. These professionals provide immediate support through:
Tele-Counseling: Counsellors assist individuals dealing with psychological distress,
addressing day-to-day challenges such as relationship conflicts, financial stress, workplace
pressure, and exam anxiety. This service is available in 20 Indian languages, catering to the
diverse cultural and regional needs of the population.
Tele-Consultation: When necessary, mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and
psychologists, provide consultations. They help diagnose and manage conditions such as
depression, anxiety, psychosis, addiction, and dementia. This tier also addresses emergency
situations requiring immediate intervention, such as individuals experiencing suicidal
thoughts or drastic changes in behaviour.
Tier 2 comprises specialists from District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) facilities and
medical colleges, offering additional resources for physical consultations and audiovisual
consultations via e-Sanjeevani. This tier also facilitates in-person services provided by
mental health professionals at public health facilities, including DMHP and mentoring
institutes. In cases where advanced treatment is needed, Tele MANAS refers individuals to
appropriate mental health establishments for further evaluation and care.
In addition to supporting individuals with psychiatric disorders, Tele MANAS focuses on
enhancing mental well-being for those facing everyday stressors. It offers guidance on issues
like sleep disturbances, technology overuse, substance misuse, and more. Furthermore, it
extends support to parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with developmental
disorders such as intellectual disabilities, autism, and ADHD.
By offering promotive, preventive, and curative mental health services, Tele MANAS strives
to empower individuals to take control of their mental health and break through the barriers
of stigma. It ensures that everyone has the right to access affordable, high-quality mental
health care, wherever they may be.
App and Video Consultations
On World Mental Health Day, October 10, Tele MANAS launched its mobile app and video
consultation services to enhance access to mental health support. The Tele MANAS app
serves as a comprehensive platform offering mental health resources, including self-care
tips, stress management strategies, and tools to recognize early distress signals. It engages
users through interactive activities like mind challenges, games, and mindfulness practices,
ensuring a user-friendly experience. The app provides free, confidential counseling 24/7,
connecting users to trained mental health professionals across India.
Video consultations add another layer to the existing audio call services, allowing mental
health professionals to conduct more thorough assessments by observing the caller directly.
This feature supports history taking, clarifying concerns, and enables brief physical or
Mental State Examinations (MSE) when necessary. Initially, this service is available in
Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu, with plans for expansion across the country.
Key Achievements
Tele MANAS has reached a significant milestone by effectively handling over 14.7 lakh calls
since its launch, demonstrating its vital role in providing mental health support across India.
Key achievements of the program include:
Establishment of 52 Tele MANAS Cells across various states, ensuring local access to
mental health services.
Collaboration with 23 Mentoring Institutes that enhance the program’s capacity and
outreach through expert guidance and support.
Creation of 5 Regional Coordinating Centers to streamline operations and facilitate
coordination among Tele MANAS Cells, ensuring efficient service delivery.
These accomplishments highlight the program's commitment to improving mental health
care access and its effectiveness in addressing the needs of individuals seeking support.
Conclusion
The National Tele Mental Health Programme, through its initiative Tele MANAS, has made
remarkable strides in enhancing mental health care accessibility across India. By leveraging
technology and a structured support system, the program has effectively addressed the
pressing mental health needs of the population, particularly in underserved areas. The wide
array of services offered, including tele-counseling, tele-consultation, and referral services,
has enabled millions to seek help without barriers of distance or cost. As Tele MANAS
continues to evolve with the introduction of the mobile app and video consultations, it is
poised to further enrich the mental health landscape in India. The recognition from global
health authorities underscores its innovative approach and impact on mental health
outcomes. The journey of Tele MANAS exemplifies a commitment to ensuring that mental
health care is not just a privilege for some but a fundamental right for all, fostering a
healthier and more supportive society. As it enters its third year, the program stands as a
testament to the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing mental health challenges
and promoting well-being across the nation.
References:
https://telemanas.mohfw.gov.in/home
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2063830
https://x.com/_DigitalIndia/status/1844362248917307724
https://x.com/_DigitalIndia/status/1795776081628152292
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1866498
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