Tamil Nadu to Pilot Thai Manam in Four Villupuram Blocks

On 3 November 2026, Tamil Nadu was preparing to pilot the Thai Manam project to provide perinatal mental health screening at the primary healthcare level. The pilot will cover Kanai, Koliyanur, Vallam and Mugaiyur blocks in Villupuram district.

Screening and training

Village Health Nurses and medical officers are being trained to screen pregnant women for mental health problems, particularly depression, during antenatal and postnatal periods. They will facilitate timely and appropriate care. The initiative involves the Institute of Mental Health, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, and the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

Important Facts for Exams

• Screening instrument: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a ten-item screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test, and can be administered during pregnancy as well as after birth.
• Clinical distinction: Postpartum psychosis is distinct from postnatal depression: delusions or hallucinations with abrupt onset constitute an emergency needing urgent specialist assessment.
• National programme delivery: India’s District Mental Health Programme extends the National Mental Health Programme through district services and integration of mental-health care into general health facilities.
• Nursing outreach role: In Tamil Nadu, Village Health Nurses are frontline sub-centre workers who provide antenatal follow-up and maternal-and-child-health outreach in local communities.