Govt's Tele-MANAS logs over 24 lakh calls since '22 launch
Tele-MANAS helpline
, the flagship initiative of
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
, has emerged as a critical lifeline for
mental health support
across India as, since its launch in 2022, it had received over 24 lakh calls -- an average of over 2500 calls a day, according to an RTI reply.
Operated under the aegis of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, the helpline was launched on October 10, 2022.
Between December 1, 2022 and July 24, 2025, the helpline has attended to an astounding 24,25,885 calls from 37 states and Union Territories, the RTI reply said.
This translates to an average of 2,511 calls per day, underscoring the growing urgency of mental health concerns in the country.
The Right to Information (RTI) was filed by a Kota-based activist and advocate Sujeet Swami in June 2024 and the response was provided on July 31.
The helpline, designed to provide 24x7 free
tele-mental health services
, especially to remote and underserved areas, has become a beacon of hope for millions.
The data highlights a diverse range of callers, with the 31-60 age group leading with 2,86,286 calls (approximately 296 calls per day), followed by the 19-30 age group with 1,98,409 calls (205 calls per day). Meanwhile, the 60 years and above age group contributed 37,745 calls (39 calls per day).
This distribution reflects the pervasive nature of mental health challenges across all age demographics. The helpline received the most number of calls from Uttar Pradesh at 4,39,164 calls (455 calls per day), indicating a significant mental health burden in the state.
In contrast, Lakshadweep recorded the lowest 722 calls.
Tamil Nadu recorded 3,87,190 calls, Odisha 2,30,117, Maharashtra 1,83,442 calls and Rajasthan also 39,996 calls. The calls reflected a variety of stressors with 43,346 calls linked to study stress, 22,740 job-related issues, 73,377 financial problems, 17,826 associated with relationship issues, and 18,377 stemming from family conflicts, the RTI data showed
Sujeet Swami, who spearheaded the RTI effort, emphasized the gravity of the situation and said, "Despite a lack of widespread awareness and promotion, the Tele-MANAS helpline is receiving 2,511 calls daily. This is a clear indicator that mental health is a pressing national issue."
"The central government and state administrations must now seriously consider developing a uniform National Mental Health Policy to address this growing crisis," he said.
Swami further noted that while awareness about mental health is increasing, many individuals still hesitate to seek help openly.
"People often struggle silently or seek solutions from untrained family members, which can exacerbate their problems. There is an urgent need for robust awareness campaigns and accessible mental health infrastructure," he added.
The Tele-MANAS helpline 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, supports multiple languages, ensuring inclusivity across India's diverse population.
Swami said in light of the escalating mental health concerns among minors, eight mental health experts, including himself, from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Rajasthan high court's Jaipur bench.
The petition demands the implementation of a uniform mental health curriculum and the mandatory appointment of psychological counsellors in all schools, colleges, and universities across Rajasthan, regardless of their private, government, or deemed status.
The PIL highlights suicide data for individuals up to 25 years of age in Kota, Jhalawar, Baran, Sikar, Jodhpur, and Jaipur from 2020 to 2025, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced mental health support in educational institutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
US Pediatricians' New Covid-19 Shot Recommendations Differ From CDC Advice
New York: For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The group's new COVID-19 recommendations - released Tuesday - come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. This isn't going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious disease committee. "It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them," he added. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said. That differs from guidance established under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn't recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert. Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that's OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12. But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed "in a significant or substantial way," Campbell said. Until recently, the CDC - following recommendations by infectious disease experts - has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a "should" recommendation. The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older - who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated. But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations. Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that's appropriate for the patient.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Rise in kidney transplants in city highlights need for matching local facility, say experts
Bhopal: Over the past two years, Bhopal has witnessed a significant rise in kidney transplants, including 12 cadaveric and dozens of live donor procedures. However, the absence of a local HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matching facility presents a logistical challenge. Currently, donor-recipient compatibility testing must be conducted in Indore or sent to labs outside MP. This process can take up to six hours, which is critical in cadaveric transplants where the kidney remains viable for only about 12 hours under ideal conditions, experts said. Despite these constraints, hospitals in Bhopal have successfully performed complex transplants. "AIIMS-Bhopal has a proposal for setting a laboratory for HLA, crossmatching," said AIIMS-Bhopal, department of urology, associate professor, Dr Ketan Mehra. The institute has accomplished one cadaveric and 13 donor kidney transplants. Noted gastro-intestinal, laparoscopic surgeon Dr Subodh Varshney, director, Siddhanta Red Cross Hospital was joined by Delhi-based liver transplant surgeon, Dr Arvinder Singh Soin on Tuesday, wherein the duo also highlighted establishing a local matching lab, which could increase transplants. They were speaking after seventh successful cadaveric liver transplant which took place in the hospital recently. The organ was brought from Jabalpur. As per a source, a private hospital is also likely to restart its HLA and crossmatching facility. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Elisa-based tests for chikungunya, dengue suggested
Lucknow: A state-level training of lab technicians and non-medical scientists on Elisa-based testing for lab diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya was held at SGPGIMS. Anchored by the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) under the department of microbiology, the training was organised in collaboration with the dengue division of UP's department of health. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Head of microbiology, Prof Rungmei SK Marak said that more than 200 persons attended the intensive training programme, spanning 20 days. In-charge of SGPGI's VRDL lab, Dr Atul Garg said that the training included a practical demonstration of Elisa , molecular testing techniques such as RT-PCR for dengue virus serotyping, good laboratory and biosafety practices and quality control measures. "By empowering technical personnel and non-medical scientists with hands-on skills, The VRDL lab aims to improve the quality of lab testing of arboviral infections," he said. Joint director of the dengue division, Dr VK Singhal said that this programme is designed to ensure uniformity and accuracy in testing protocols for dengue and chikungunya across the state.
