Latest news with #DistrictMentalHealthProgramme
United News of India
01-08-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Over 23.8L calls received on Tele-MANAS helpline since its launch: Govt
New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) In almost last three years since its launch, the National Tele Mental Health Programme has received over 23.82 lakh calls through the Tele-MANAS helpline, which operates from 53 centres across 36 States and Union Territories to provide counselling and care services via telecommunication, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed the Lok Sabha today. The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) is implemented across the country with the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component sanctioned in 767 districts. Under DMHP, States and UTs receive support through the National Health Mission to provide outpatient services, counselling, psycho-social interventions, continuing care, outreach, ambulance services, and drugs at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs). District hospitals also offer 10-bedded inpatient facilities, said Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, said in a written reply in the Lower House. Moreover, more than 1.77 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, where mental health services are now integrated into comprehensive primary care packages, supported by operational guidelines and training manuals on mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, he added. At the tertiary care level, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to enhance postgraduate education in mental health and provide advanced treatment. Additionally, 19 government medical colleges have been supported to strengthen 47 postgraduate departments specializing in mental health. To expand the workforce, 69 institutions are approved to conduct clinical psychology courses and 9 for rehabilitation psychology by the Rehabilitation Council of India. New courses, including and M.A. in Clinical Psychology, were launched in the 2024-25 academic year. The Government is also enhancing manpower in underserved areas through online training for healthcare and paramedical professionals via Digital Academies, said the Minister. UNI AJ GNK 1838
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
How Tele-MANAS helpline in Telangana became a lifeline for 1.3 lakh callers
In early 2025, a 38-year-old unemployed man from Hyderabad found himself trapped in a cycle of fear, sleepless nights, and persistent thoughts of self-harm. A few months earlier, he had been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a condition marked by sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. While the physical symptoms were being treated, his mental health began to unravel. Panic episodes, intrusive thoughts, and a growing sense of hopelessness slowly took hold, affecting his ability to function day to day. Then he turned to 14416, the toll-free helpline of the Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative. The call was transferred to a psychiatrist. Over the next few minutes, he was encouraged to speak freely and reassured about confidentiality. He was assessed for suicidal ideation and educated about the link between physical and mental health. 'He agreed to seek further care at the District Hospital. A few days later, during a follow-up session, he confirmed that he was already feeling better,' said a counsellor. But his case is just one among thousands. Since its launch in October 2022, Tele-MANAS helpline in Telangana has received over 1.38 lakh calls from people across the State experiencing mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to substance use, sleep disturbances, and suicidal ideation. The round-the-clock call centre at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, is staffed by a team comprising two psychiatrists, one clinical psychologist, 14 trained counsellors, two technical coordinators, and two support staff. Each day, the centre fields between 150 to 200 calls, connecting individuals to qualified mental health professionals who provide immediate support and refer serious cases to local District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) clinics or government hospitals. The intervention is free, confidential, and accessible to anyone with a phone. The helpline's impact is evident across all 33 districts. Kamareddy district recorded the highest number of calls at 19,366, followed by Hyderabad (9,904), Hanamkonda (8,086), Siddipet (7,911), and Vikarabad (7,067). 'Most common callers are young adults, unemployed individuals, and people dealing with sudden medical or financial stressors. Callers often report feeling isolated or unable to speak openly with family members, which is where the anonymity and availability of the helpline make a critical difference,' said a Tele-MANAS official.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Tele MANAS to coordinate with DMHP teams in Karnataka districts to close mental health accessibility gap
The Tele MANAS helpline, a toll-free 24/7 mental health assistance programme launched by the Government of India across the country, has chalked out a programme to co-ordinate with the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) in different districts of Karnataka to 'close the mental health accessibility gap'. Speaking to The Hindu ahead of a scheduled visit to Mysuru by a team of Tele MANAS on July 25, senior resident for the Apex Co-ordinating Centre for the programme at NIMHANS in Bengaluru, Gajanan G. Sabhahit noted that callers from remote parts of the State seeking mental health assistance will be linked to the DMHP team members so that they do not have to travel long distances to avail mental health care. When the required mental health care cannot be provided through audio or video consultation, the calls are re-diverted through a rapid referral portal, where a Tele MANAS counseller will provide the details to the DHMP team comprising a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, community health professional, and Asha workers among others, to help the caller. Meanwhile, project manager for Tele MANAS, e-Health Research Centre, IIIT, Bengaluru, Archana Kartik, described Tele MANAS as the digital arm of DMHP. It is meant to serve as a 'first aid' for people in distress, who are not able to avail mental health assistance physically, she said. Ever since the Tele MANAS helpline was launched in October 2022, Karnataka had accounted for 1.3 lakh calls out of the total 24 lakh calls received so far. In Karnataka, Tele MANAS units are functioning out of Bengaluru and Dharwad, where 20 counsellers in each centre, totalling 40, attend to calls round the clock in shifts. The counsellers are provided special training to handle the calls received from persons with distress. 'About 500 calls are attended to every day at both the centres. Audio calls are converted into video calls if necessary,' said Ms. Archana. The Tele MANAS helpline has now seen a surge in calls across the country, receiving anywhere between 3,500 to 5,000 calls per day in 20 different languages from people facing various mental health issues. While calls from 18-year-olds has increased, most of the phone calls are received are from people between the ages of 18 and 45, with complaints ranging from sleeplessness, not getting married, financial difficulties, and exam stress, she said. A team of Tele MANAS will be in Mysuru on Friday as part of their Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities. While NIMHANS is running this helpline and free consultation is being provided for various mental health issues, the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-B) is providing technical support to this helpline. The Tele MANAS helpline is available on 14416.
India Today
22-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
One in 13 suicides in India in 2022 was of a student: Government data
Student suicides accounted for 7.6% of all suicides reported across the country in 2022. While this marked a slight drop from 8.0% in 2021 and 8.2% in 2020, the numbers still point to a deeply worrying trend. The data, drawn from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), was shared in the national parliament this week by the Minister of State for figures reveal more than just statistics. They show a burden silently carried by young minds, many of whom are struggling in ways that go departments, particularly the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, have stepped in with new efforts. One such step is the 'MANODARPAN' initiative, a programme offering psychological support through counselling helplines and live programme has already reached a large number of students across the this, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) has been expanded to cover 767 focuses on suicide prevention and teaches life skills in both schools and colleges. Mental health is also being tied closely with addiction EFFORTS ADDRESS A GROWING CONCERNRecognising the rise of substance abuse among youth, the government has launched stronger anti-drug education bodies, including the University Grants Commission (UGC), have asked institutions to take responsibility for student well-being. The emphasis is now on physical fitness, mental strength, and emotional are encouraged to introduce sports, wellness programmes, and stress management activities on leading technical institutions have already started to respond. IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIT Guwahati have begun workshops on mental resilience for students and teachers under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training are important steps. But what remains is the question of everyday care, how teachers, parents, and classmates can spot signs of distress, and how communities can support young people not just when they fall, but before they begin to is not just a policy issue. It is a quiet crisis that needs listening, not just planning.(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)- Ends
News18
22-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Student Suicides 7.6% Of All Suicide Cases Across India In 2022: Minister
In 2022, student suicides made up 7.6% of all suicide cases in India, a slight decrease from 8.0% in 2021 and 8.2% in 2020, as per data shared in the Lok Sabha. Student suicides accounted for 7.6 percent of all suicide cases reported in India in 2022. This marks a small drop from 8.0 percent in 2021 and 8.2 percent in 2020, according to official data shared in the Lok Sabha. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar shared the figures while responding to a written question in Parliament. The data is from the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The minister said that the government is taking several steps to address student mental health, including offering psychological support to students, teachers and families. The Ministry of Education's Manodarpan initiative has provided counselling and live interactive sessions to lakhs of students through dedicated helplines. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is active in 767 districts and offers suicide prevention services along with life skills training in schools and colleges. To tackle rising substance abuse among students, the Centre has also increased its focus on anti-drug campaigns alongside mental health awareness. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked colleges and universities to focus on student well-being by promoting sports, physical fitness, emotional health and overall student welfare. Institutes such as IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIT Guwahati have started organising workshops on stress management and resilience as part of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme, the minister added. Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar also informed that the Ministry of Education is working on a draft legislation to set up the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) — a single regulatory body proposed to oversee the entire higher education sector. In a written reply, the minister said the move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for a 'light but tight" regulatory system to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability while encouraging institutional autonomy, innovation and good governance. At present, non-technical education is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), technical education falls under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and teacher education is overseen by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The idea of merging these functions under one umbrella body was first proposed in a 2018 draft bill that also recommended repealing the UGC Act. The draft was later opened for public feedback. view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 13:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
