Parliament Question: Digital addiction and mental health issues among children

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3636 TOBE ANSWERED ON24thMARCH, 2026 DIGITALADDICATION ANDMENTALHEALTHISSUES AMONG CHILDREN 3636. SHRISNIRANJAN REDDY: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate: (a) whether Government has taken note of the Economic Survey 2025–26 highlighting the rise of digital addiction and screen-related mental health issues among children and adolescents; (b) the steps taken or proposed to implement structured interventions such as cyber-safety education, peer-mentor programmes, mandatory physical activity in schools and parental awareness programmes toaddress the issue; (c) whether Government proposes to expand the Tele-MANAS programme beyond crisis counselling to specifically address digital addiction and related mental health concerns; and (d) if so, the detailsthereofand if not,the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (d) To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels for all including elderly, inter- alia, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care andsupport topersonswith severe mentaldisorders, drugs, outreachservices, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10bedded in-patient facility at the district level.Under DMHP, targeted interventions are conducted for school and college students. Under Targeted interventions, the following activities are carried out in the districts across the country: i. Life skills education & counselling in schools - 100 teachers to be trained as Master trainers from eachblockhaving25-30 schools. ii. College counselling services - trainingof collegeteachers towork ascounsellors. iii. Counselling of Out of school children having mental health problems/ Adolescent mental healthprogram iv. Suicide preventionservices WorkplaceStressManagement Programs As part of targeted interventions done for the students under DMHP in FY 2025-26, the counselling services were provided to 65278 students through 5111 counselling sessions conductedinschools andcolleges inthe FY2025-26 (till 30.09.2025). The Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.81 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Operational guidelines and training manuals for various cadres on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have beenreleasedunderthe ambitof Ayushman Bharat. “Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health” is incorporated as a dedicated module under Ayushman Bharat School Health & Wellness Programme. Health and Wellness Ambassadors (Teachers) are trained on mental health along with other thematic areas of the programme, take interactive sessions with the students and percolate the messages through weekly sessions promotingjoyful learning. The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare through its interventions viz. Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHC), Peer Education Programme and Adolescent Health and Wellness Days (AH&WD) creates awareness on mental health issues and provides counselling services. Peer Educators form groups of 15-20 boys and girls in the community and conduct weekly one to two hour participatorysessions onadolescent healthincludingmentalhealthandwellbeing. Ministry of Education (MoE), has launched an initiative, Manodarpan, with the aim to provide psychosocial support to students, their families and teachers across the country, for mental health and well-being. All activities undertaken under the Manodarpan initiative are aimed towards supporting the metal health and well-being of students from schools, colleges anduniversities, includingthose students who are preparingfor competitiveexaminations. University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued Guidelines for Promotion of Physical Fitness, Sports, Student’s Health, Welfare, Psychological and Emotional Well- being at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on 13.04.2023, which provides for promotion of physical fitness and sports activities for students; creation of safeguards against academic pressure, peer pressure, behavioral issues, stress, career concerns, depression andother issues on the mental health of students; to teach positive thinking and emotions in the student community;andtopromote a positive andsupportive network for students.The Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” (NTMHP) on 10thOctober, 2022,thatfunctionsasthe digitalarm of the District Mental HealthProgramme to provide universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable and quality mental health care through 24 x 7 tele-mental health counselling services. For this, a toll-free number (14416) hasbeenset up across the country. As on 03.03.2026, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells. Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages based on language opted by States. More than 34.34 lakh calls have beenhandledonthe helpline numbersince inception. The Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2024. Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well being to mental disorders. The Government has also launched the video consultation facility under Tele-MANAS, as another upgrade to the already existing audiocallingfacility. Tele MANAS, along with its crisis psychological support, also functions as a comprehensive mental health care service. Emerging mental health concerns, including digital addiction, are addressed through its multi-tiered service delivery system. At the first level, trained counsellors identify early symptoms of digital addiction and provide preliminary counselling and guidance. Cases requiringfurther evaluation are seamlessly escalated to qualified Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) for detailed assessment and appropriate management. Further, Tele MANAS acts as a referral and feeder mechanism for in-person services, including District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) services and other mental health care facilities, wherever required. Tele-MANAS counsellors undergo structured training and continuous professional development programmes, which include Advanced training sessions on emerging mental healthconcernssuch asdigital addictionandrelatedmentalhealth concerns. Social media campaigns and specific IEC content on digital addiction have been done to promote healthy digital practices and encourage timely help-seeking through the Tele MANAS services. *****