Parliament Question: Launch of Tele-MANAS Helpline

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2228 TOBE ANSWERED ON12TH DECEMBER, 2025 LAUNCH OFTELE-MANAS HELPLINE 2228. SHRIOMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVANRAJENIMBALKAR: SHRIARVIND GANPATSAWANT: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a)whether it isa fact thatthe Government haslaunchedthe Tele-MANAS helpline for students, women and rural youth and if so, details thereof along with the main objectives of the helpline andthe States where it hasbeenlaunchedtodate; (b) whether the Government has conducted any public-awareness campaigns to promote this service andif so, the details thereof; (c) the number of beneficiaries in Maharashtra who have used the service through these campaignsduring the last three years; (d) whether the Government proposes to collaborate with educational institutions and Panchayati Raj bodiestofurther widen itsreachandif so, the detailsthereof; and (e) the amount of funds have been allocated and actually spent on Tele-MANAS public awareness andcapacity-building activitiesduring the last two years? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SH.PRATAPRAOJADHAV) (a) The Government of India has launched the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) on 10 October 2022. Tele-MANAS provides free, confidential, 24×7 mental-health support through the toll-free number 14416, for all individuals including students, women, rural youth, and other vulnerable groups. The specific objectivesof the Programmeare:i. To exponentially scale up the reach of mental health services to anybody who reaches out, across India, any time,by setting up a 24x7 tele-mental healthfacility in eachof the StatesandUTs of the country. ii. To implement a full-fledged mental health service network that, in addition to counselling, providesintegrated medicalandpsychosocial interventions. iii. To extend services to vulnerable groups of the population and difficult to reach populations. As on 27.11.2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53Tele MANAS Cells. Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages opted by States/UTs. More than 29,82,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number. 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 facilityunderTele-MANAS, asanotherupgrade tothe already existing audiocallingfacility. (b) The Government hasundertakenseveral public-awareness initiativestopromote the services. Over the past years, multiple large-scale campaigns have been organized, including activities under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, during which a six-month long “Swasth Mann, Swasth Tan” mental-wellbeingcampaign was conductedacross States/UTs. In addition, mental health promotion is a regular feature at the India International Trade Fair (IITF), where a dedicated fortnight-long outreach is carried out each year, reaching lakhs of visitors. Tele MANAS teams have conducted numerous outreach activities and awareness sessions in schools, colleges, hostels, ITIs, Universities, NGOs, old-age homes, orphanages, health facilities, workplaces and professional gatherings. Special initiatives have been held for Indian railway loco pilots and their families, reserve police personnel, income tax officials, nursing and social work students, andlaycounsellors, coveringseveral thousand participantsduring the period. The Apex Centre maintains active official accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, where extensive IEC material—posts, reels, videos and stories—is regularly shared. (c) The number of calls handled by Tele-MANAS in Maharashtra during the last three years is 2848in2022 to47067in2023,66045 in2024,and121151 in2025 (asof 04.12.2025).(d) Department of Higher Education has been requested for wide publicity of NTMHP / Tele- MANAS in the educational institutes under their Department and share the helpline number among the students to accessthe helpline during stressful and challengingtimes. All Institutes of National Importance, AIIMS and Central Government Medical Colleges have also been requested to publicize Tele MANAS among students to access the helpline at any time for free andconfidentialsupport. All States/UTs have also been requested for wide circulation and publicity of NTMHP / Tele MANAS inthe respective States/UTs through variouspossible modes like print poster, electronic display, social media platforms, etc. at appropriate places including all health facilities/ educational institutions/ Hostels/ Private and Government workplaces/ Jails/ Orphanages and on Website/ WebPortal of states toensure widespread awareness. (e) Atotal of Rs. 230.98 crore has been allocated and Rs. 140.69 crore has been released under National Tele Mental HealthProgrammefrom the year2022-23 to2024-25. A dedicated IEC budget of Rs. 5.00 crore each has been approved at the national level for the year 2025–26 and 2026–27, to be operated for Tele-MANAS public-awareness and communication activities by the Apex Institute. Further, States/UTs have also been advised to make IEC provisions underthe NHM CentrallySponsored Schemefor localoutreach. ****