India Expands Tele Mental Health Services with New Initiatives
The Government of India has made significant strides in enhancing mental health care services across the nation with the launch of the National Tele Mental Health Programme. Initiated on October 10, 2022, the initiative aims to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care. As of February 2, 2026, a total of 36 States and Union Territories have established 53 Tele MANAS Cells, resulting in over 32.84 lakh calls being addressed through the helpline since its inception.
Mobile App Launches and Expansion
In a bid to further support mental health assistance, the Tele MANAS Mobile Application was launched on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2024. This comprehensive platform caters to a range of mental health concerns, from general well-being to various disorders. The application has now expanded its language offerings to include 10 additional regional languages—Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi—on top of the pre-existing options of English and Hindi.
Accessibility Features and Video Support
Understanding the importance of inclusivity, the Tele MANAS Mobile Application is designed to assist visually impaired individuals. It features a user-friendly interface and a toll-free phone line that does not require a screen for use, ensuring accessible mental health services for all. Moreover, the Government has upgraded the existing audio calling facility to now include video consultations, providing users with more versatile options for support.
To extend mental health assistance to the nation’s defenders, a dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell has been established at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune. This initiative seeks to enhance tele-mental health resources available to Armed Forces personnel and their families.
Impact Assessment Report by WHO
The impact of the Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) program has been positively evaluated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) India. The recently published Rapid Assessment Report on Tele MANAS (2024) provides valuable insights into the program’s performance, reach, and user experiences across the country. The report is accessible on the Ministry’s website.
These developments were confirmed by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, in a written response to the Lok Sabha, highlighting the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing mental health care.
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