Since its inception in October 2022, the government-run national tele-mental health service, Tele MANAS, has received over 2,00,000 calls from individuals across India.
What exactly is Tele-MANAS?
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare established the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative in October 2022.
- It intends to provide free tele-mental health treatments around the clock throughout the country, with a focus on persons living in distant or underserved locations.
Implementation of the plan
- Counselling: The plan includes a network of 38 tele-mental health excellence centres located throughout 27 states and UTs that function in more than 20 languages.
- Helpline: A toll-free, 24-hour helpline number (14416) has been established across the country, allowing callers to select their preferred language when requesting services. Service is also available by calling 1-800-91-4416.
Two-tier working
- Working Tele-MANAS will be organised in a two-tier system, with Tier 1 consisting of state Tele-MANAS cells staffed by professional counsellors and mental health specialists.
- Tier 2 specialists will be drawn from the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio-visual consultation.
Concerns and Demographics
- Age Group: Two-thirds of callers are between the ages of 18 and 45, while 12.5% are between the ages of 46 and 64, and 8% are under the age of 18.
- Gender Distribution: Male callers made 59.6% of the two lakh calls, while female callers made 40%.
- Primary Concerns: General emotions of depression (28.8%), sleep-related problems (27.6%), anxiety (20.4%), relationship issues (10%), aggression (9.2%), and lack of interest in activities (9.7%) were the most common reasons for seeking help.
Expansion of the plan
- The initial implementation is being customised for use throughout all States and UTs, providing basic support and counselling through a centralised Interactive Voice Response system (IVRS).
- For specialised care, it is linked with other services like as National teleconsultation, e-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat, mental health specialists, health centres, and emergency psychiatric facilities.
- This will not only aid in the provision of acute mental healthcare treatments, but will also help to facilitate a continuum of care.
- This will eventually embrace the complete spectrum of mental wellness and sickness, as well as the integration of all systems that provide mental health care.
Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/tele-manas-helpline-received-over-2-lakh-calls-since-launch-in-oct-2022/102054194#:~:text=New%20Delhi%3A%20The%20government's%20national,health%20service%20delivery%20in%20India.