A general feeling of sadness, sleep disturbance, stress, and anxiety top the list of mental health concerns that prompted Indians to call the government-run national tele-mental health programme, Tele MANAS, the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme launched in October 2022. The service, aimed at strengthening mental health service delivery in the country, on Saturday “reached a milestone of having received over 2,00,000 calls from various parts of the nation since the launch of this toll-free service,’’ the Union Health Ministry said.
The Ministry added that with 42 operational Tele MANAS cells in 31 States and Union Territories, the service is currently catering to over 1,300 calls per day in 20 languages. Over 1,900 counsellors have been trained to run the first line service.
Additionally, around 7,000 calls have been followed up with call-backs from counsellors, where they succeeded in completing the loop of care. Callers requiring specialist care are linked to appropriate services and nearby healthcare facilities.
