Tele MANAS

Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative has been launched by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare during October 2022. It aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas. 

A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number (14416) is now available as part of the initiative.

National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)

India, home to 18% of the global population, faces a significant mental health crisis, with mental disorders being the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) and suicide ranking as the third leading cause of death in many states. National studies reveal that 15% of India’s adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention, yet the treatment gap ranges from 70-92%, leaving millions without access to care. 

Although the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 enshrines access to mental health as a statutory right, over 11 crore people in India still suffer from mental health disorders, with 80% not seeking help. Each year, more than 1 lakh people die by suicide, while countless others attempt to end their lives, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was hence launched during 2022-23 to address this gap.

Tele-MANAS implementation

Tele-MANAS aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas.

The programme includes

• a network of 52 Tele MANAS Cells across various states, ensuring local access to mental health services.
• Collaboration with 23 Mentoring Institutes that enhance the program’s capacity and outreach through expert guidance and support.
• Creation of 5 Regional Coordinating Centers to streamline operations and facilitate coordination among Tele MANAS Cells, ensuring efficient service delivery.

A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number (14416) has been set up across the country allowing callers to select the language of choice for availing services. Service is also accessible with 1-800-891-4416. The calls would be routed to Tele-MANAS cells in the respective state and union territory.

Tele-MANAS is organised in two tier system;

• Tier 1 comprises of state Tele-MANAS cells include trained counsellors and mental health specialists. 
• Tier 2 comprises specialists from District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) facilities and medical colleges, offering additional resources for physical consultations and audiovisual consultations via e-Sanjeevani. This tier also facilitates in-person services provided by mental health professionals at public health facilities, including DMHP and mentoring institutes. In cases where advanced treatment is needed, Tele MANAS refers individuals to appropriate mental health establishments for further evaluation and care.

Tier 1 professionals provide immediate support through:

• Tele-Counseling: Counsellors assist individuals dealing with psychological distress, addressing day-to-day challenges such as relationship conflicts, financial stress, workplace pressure, and exam anxiety. This service is available in 20 Indian languages, catering to the diverse cultural and regional needs of the population.
• Tele-Consultation: When necessary, mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, provide consultations. They help diagnose and manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, addiction, and dementia. This tier also addresses emergency situations requiring immediate intervention, such as individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or drastic changes in behaviour.

In addition to supporting individuals with psychiatric disorders, Tele MANAS focuses on enhancing mental well-being for those facing everyday stressors. It offers guidance on issues like sleep disturbances, technology overuse, substance misuse, and more. Furthermore, it extends support to parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with developmental disorders such as intellectual disabilities, autism, and ADHD.

Mentoring institutes

The mentoring institutes are as follows: AIIMS, Patna, AIIMS Raipur, CIP Ranchi, AIIMS Bhopal, AIIMS Kalyani, AIIMS Bhubaneshwar, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Inst. of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour Bambolim Goa, AIIMS, Nagpur, AIIMS, Jodhpur, KGMU Lucknow, AIIMS Rishikesh, IHBAS, Delhi, IGMS, Shimla, Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar, LGBRIMH, Tezpur, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, IMHANS, Kozhikode, Kerala, IMH, Chennai, IMH, Hyderabad, JIPMER and AIIMS, Mangalagiri.

Services offered by Tele MANAS

• Tele Counselling by trained counsellors.
• Tele Consultation by Mental Health professionals when required.
• Referral Services to other Mental Health Establishments such as Medical Colleges, DMHP services and speciality institutes.

 Who can reach out to Tele MANAS?

• Any individual with mental health issues can reach out to Tele MANAS services for help.
• Family members of persons with mental health issues can reach out for help.
• Grass-root health care providers/community health providers i.e., Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), and community volunteers from the community can reach out to Tele MANAS on behalf of an individual or individuals in that community with mental health issues.

Tele Manas calling mechanism

• The public can access the Tele MANAS helpline by dialing tollfree number or short code. This call will be an IVRS based audio calling only, with a timely auto-call back approach. Through the automated callback service, the caller will first be attended to by a trained counsellor.
• Based on the level of care required, the counsellor will either provide the care needed within their capabilities or refer the caller for specialist care.
• If the caller requires specialized care, the call will be handled by a mental health specialist (clinical psychologist, psychiatric social worker, psychiatric nurse, or a psychiatrist). This level of service will contain both audio as well as video-based options.
• In case the caller requires urgent in-person intervention/complex evaluations and management, they will be referred to the nearest in-person service for physical consultation and/or an audio-visual consultation with a specialist will be arranged through eSanjeevani. These centers will range from Health and Wellness Centre (HWCs) to tertiary care centers as part of the DMHP

App and Video Consultations

The Tele MANAS 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 engages users through interactive activities like mind challenges, games, and mindfulness practices, ensuring a user-friendly experience. The app provides free, confidential counseling 24/7, connecting users to trained mental health professionals across India.

Video consultations add another layer to the existing audio call services, allowing mental health professionals to conduct more thorough assessments by observing the caller directly. This feature supports history taking, clarifying concerns, and enables brief physical or Mental State Examinations (MSE) when necessary. Initially, this service is available in Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu, with plans for expansion across the country.

Source : Tele Manas platform