Tele MANAS is India’s National Tele Mental Health Programme, launched in October 2022 to provide digital mental healthcare services 24X7 to even the remotest parts of the country. The initiative has received over 100,000 calls since its launch, marking a significant achievement in providing quality mental healthcare for all across the country.
Highlights
- The National Tele Mental Health Programme
- Tele MANAS Initiative: A Novel Approach to Mental Health Care
- Functioning of Tele MANAS: Reaching the Unreached
The Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) helpline of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has received over 100,000 calls since its launch in October 2022. This achievement is significant in the effort to provide quality mental healthcare for all across the country.
“The greatest wealth is health.”
Virgil
1. Introduction The Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) helpline of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has received over 100,000 calls since its launch in October 2022. This achievement is significant in the effort to provide quality mental healthcare for all across the country.
2. The National Tele Mental Health Programme The National Tele Mental Health Programme of India was launched on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2022. It aims to provide a digital mental health ecosystem that can boost existing mental healthcare services. Due to the COVID pandemic, there was an urgent need for a digital mental health network to provide access to mental healthcare services 24X7 to even the remotest parts of the country. The service is available for all individuals free-of-cost through a toll-free number.
3. Tele MANAS Initiative The Tele MANAS initiative was announced by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in the Union budget 2022-23 in acknowledgement of the mental health crisis in the country. It is a novel initiative that enables people to seek support for their mental health issues while maintaining their anonymity, thereby reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
4. Functioning of Tele MANAS The Tele MANAS initiative has completed its first 6 months of functioning, with over 38 functional Tele MANAS Cells spread across 27 States and UTs. These cells provide mental health services in over 20 languages, with over 1600 trained counsellors running the first-line services. Most of the calls received so far are related to sadness of mood, stress, exam-related anxiety, domestic disturbances, and sleep disturbances.
5. Ultimate aim of the Tele MANAS initiative The National Tele Mental Health Programme of India focuses on building the mental health workforce of the nation through capacity building initiatives while simultaneously ensuring that mental health services can reach every household and individual free of cost, targeting the most vulnerable and unreached sections of society. With Tele MANAS reaching the 1 lakh mark in just 6 months, it turns a new leaf in achieving its ultimate aim of building a robust digital mental health network throughout India.
Thank you for reading about India’s Tele-MANAS initiative. To stay updated on mental health news and initiatives, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
Do Follow us on Facebook and For More Updates on Competitive Exams Checkout our Website
Take the first step towards mental wellness, call Tele-MANAS today!
