Tele-MANAS initiative

October 10, 2022

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2022), the Indian Government launched the Tele-MANAS initiative.

Key facts

Launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative is a round-the-clock mental health service that aims to increase access to mental healthcare across India.
The Tele-MANAS will boost access to mental healthcare across the country by providing nationwide network offering counselling, consultation with specialist and e-prescriptions.
It aims to make mental healthcare services accessible to even the remotest and difficult-to-reach terrains in the country.
The initiative was first announced by the Central Government during the 2022-23 Budget, while acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in India.
Initially, the service will be launched in 20 states and union territories. It will later be expanded to include other parts of the country as well.
This mental health service can be accessed by calling the helpline number 14416 and 1-800-91-4416.
The callers will first reach the interactive voice response (IVRS) and then the call will be transferred to a trained counsellor in their areas.
If required, callers will be connected to mental health specialists like psychiatric social workers, psychiatric nurse, psychiatrist and clinical psychologists.
In case the caller requires an in-person service, he/she will be referred to a health and wellness centre or primary healthcare or tertiary healthcare.
Tele-MANAS initiative will be the digital arm of the National Mental Health Programme and District Mental Health Programme.
The nodal centre for its implementation is National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS).
Technical support for this initiative will be provided by IIT Bombay.
The initiative will also involve five regional coordination centres and 23 mentoring institutes like PGIMER, AIIMS and Delhi-based Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences.