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Tele-MANAS : Data

Kumari Sonali

Tele-MANAS: Data

India’s national mental health helpline, Tele-MANAS, has received nearly 48 lakh calls in four years.

  • Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) offers a wide range of mental health services.
  • It was started by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2022.
  • Aim is to provide universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality mental health care through a 24×7 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.
  • Objectives:
    • Expanding Access: Scaling up the reach of mental health services nationwide, ensuring that anyone across India can access support at any time through dedicated 24×7 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.
    • The service is structured in a two-tier system to optimize care delivery and enhance support.
    • Tier 1: It comprises state Tele MANAS cells staffed with trained counsellors and mental health specialists. These professionals provide immediate support through: Tele-Counseling and Tele-Consultation.
    • Tier 2: It comprises specialists from District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) facilities and medical colleges, offering additional resources for physical consultations and audiovisual consultations via e-Sanjeevani.
  • Tele MANAS launched its mobile app and video consultation services to enhance access to mental health support.
  • This 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 is enhanced with Multi-lingual user interface, Chatbot feature (Asmi), Accessibility, Emergency Module.
  • It will now be available in 10 regional languages, in addition to the English and Hindi languages.
  • These languages include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Punjabi.