Tele MANAS: India’s First 24X7 Tele Mental Health Helpline Brings New Hope for Millions

Abstract

India comprises around 18% of the world’s population and contributes a major proportion to the global burden of mental disorders. In recognition, the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister of India in the Union Budget 2022 announced India’s first National Tele Mental Health Programme, i.e. Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS). Tele MANAS envisions to work as a comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive 24X7 tele-mental health facility in each State and Union Territory (UT) in India with the aim to provide universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable, and quality mental health care through 24X7 tele-mental health counselling services as a digital component of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) with assured linkages. Launched on October 10, 2022, on World Mental Health Day, the Government of India (GoI) is unquestionably making a remarkable contribution towards raising awareness of mental health disorders worldwide and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health to advance global mental health.