Tele-MANAS, India’s national tele-mental health helpline, has significantly expanded with 53 operational cells now functional across various states and Union Territories. The service now offers counselling in 20 languages, aiming to make mental health support more accessible and inclusive for India’s diverse population.
Glimpse:
The expansion includes new cells in multiple states and UTs, enabling round-the-clock tele-counselling for a wide range of mental health issues. With support in 20 languages, Tele-MANAS is reaching non-English and non-Hindi speaking populations more effectively. According to reports, the helpline has managed over 29.82 lakh calls since its launch, with 12,33,399 calls recorded this year alone. On October 10, 2024, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the Tele-MANAS Mobile Application was launched, now supporting 10 additional regional languages including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi, in addition to English and Hindi.
Tele-MANAS, the Government of India’s national tele-mental health helpline, has achieved a major milestone with 53 operational cells now functional across various states and Union Territories. This expansion has significantly increased the reach of mental health support services in the country.
The service now provides counselling in 20 languages, making it more inclusive for India’s linguistically diverse population. Users can access help for issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns through trained counsellors and mental health professionals. According to reports, the helpline has effectively managed over 29.82 lakh calls since its launch, with 12,33,399 calls recorded this year alone. This significant engagement underscores the growing demand for mental health support.
On October 10, 2024, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the Tele-MANAS Mobile Application was launched, providing a comprehensive platform for mental health resources. The application has been expanded to support 10 additional regional languages including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi, in addition to the previously available English and Hindi.
The growth of Tele-MANAS reflects the government’s continued focus on addressing the rising burden of mental health disorders and reducing the treatment gap, especially in underserved and rural areas. The programme works in coordination with existing health infrastructure and district mental health programmes.
“Tele-MANAS is making mental health support truly accessible to every citizen. With 53 cells and 20 languages now operational, we are reaching millions who previously had limited or no access to professional help.”
By
HB Team
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