Tele-MANAS helpline logs 47.75 lakh calls in four years
Tele-MANAS, the free 24x7 mental health helpline on toll-free number 14416, has received 47,75,644 calls since its launch on 10 October 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on 9 October 2026. It works through 53 cells across all 36 States and Union Territories. The District Mental Health Programme is sanctioned for 767 districts.
Syllabus: Prelims · Economy & Social Development; GS2 · Government Policies; GS2 · Health, Education & Human Resources
Why it matters
A college student with exam stress, or a farmer who cannot sleep, may live hours away from the nearest psychiatrist and may fear what neighbours will say. With Tele-MANAS that person dials 14416 at any hour, pays nothing and speaks to a trained counsellor in confidence. If more help is needed, the counsellor refers the caller to a specialist in the public health system. Nearly three in four recorded callers are aged 18 to 45, the years of study and work. The larger issue is that India has few mental health specialists and much stigma. A phone line, district units and screening at primary health centres bring the first step of care closer to home.
Prelims pointers
- Tele-MANAS: Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States; the National Tele Mental Health Programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, announced in the Union Budget 2022-23.
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru: nodal centre of Tele-MANAS and an Institute of National Importance under the NIMHANS Act, 2012. IIIT-Bangalore gives technology support.
- Two tiers: Tier 1 is the State Tele-MANAS cells with counsellors and specialists; Tier 2 is DMHP and medical college specialists, in person or through e-Sanjeevani.
- National Mental Health Programme: launched in 1982 to make mental healthcare part of general health services. The District Mental Health Programme is its district-level component.
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: replaced the Mental Health Act, 1987; gives a right to mental healthcare; presumes a person who attempts suicide is under severe stress, so no punishment.
- The same Act lets an adult make an advance directive and appoint a nominated representative, and sets up Central and State Mental Health Authorities and Mental Health Review Boards.
- Seventh Schedule: "public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries" is in the State List, so States run health services and the Centre supports them through the National Health Mission.
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: sub health centres and primary health centres upgraded under Ayushman Bharat to give Comprehensive Primary Health Care; earlier called Health and Wellness Centres.
Practise a UPSC-style question
With reference to Tele-MANAS, consider the following statements:
1. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide free tele-mental health services.
2. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi is the nodal centre of the programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show the answer
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1 is incorrect: Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on toll-free 14416. 2 is incorrect: the nodal centre is the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, with IIIT-Bangalore giving technology support.
Explainers on this topic
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