**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to a question regarding new initiatives and enhanced features under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS), and assessment of its impact, to be answered on February 6, 2026. The government launched the program on October 10, 2022, and a mobile application on October 10, 2024. A WHO report has assessed the reach and user engagement, which is available on the Ministry’s website.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tele-MANAS Program:**
* Launched on October 10, 2022, to improve access to mental health counseling and care.
* 53 Tele-MANAS Cells have been established in 36 States/UTs (as of February 2, 2026).
* Services available in 20 languages based on language opted by States.
* Over 32.84 lakh calls have been handled since inception.
* **Tele-MANAS Mobile Application:**
* Launched on October 10, 2024, to provide support for mental health issues.
* Expanded to include 10 additional regional languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi).
* Assists visually challenged persons with a user-friendly digital interface and toll-free phone line.
* **Other Enhancements:**
* Video consultation facility launched under Tele-MANAS.
* A dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell established at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune.
* **Impact Assessment:**
* The World Health Organisation (WHO) India assessed Tele-MANAS impact.
* A Rapid Assessment Report on Tele-MANAS (2024) by WHO is available on the Ministry’s website.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens/General Public**
* **Impact**: Enhanced access to quality mental health counseling and care services through various channels (helpline, mobile app, video consultation).
* **Action Required**: Utilize the available Tele-MANAS services, including the helpline and mobile application, for mental health support.
**Visually Challenged Persons**
* **Impact**: Increased accessibility to mental health services through a specially designed digital interface and toll-free phone line.
* **Action Required**: Access Tele-MANAS mental health services through the provided interface and toll-free phone line.
**Armed Forces Personnel and Dependents**
* **Impact**: Dedicated mental health assistance and support through the Tele-MANAS Cell at AFMC, Pune.
* **Action Required**: Utilize the Tele-MANAS Cell at AFMC, Pune for tele-mental health assistance and support.
**State/UT Governments**
* **Impact**: Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages based on their preferences.
* **Action Required**: Continue setting up Tele-MANAS Cells (36 States/UTs have established 53 cells so far).
**World Health Organisation (WHO)**
* **Impact**: Published a Rapid Assessment Report on Tele-MANAS (2024) for performance overview.
* **Action Required**: Report is available on the Ministry’s website.
Key Entities Referenced
Tele-MANAS: National Tele Mental Health Programme to improve access to mental health counselling and care.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The government ministry responsible for the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS).
Tele-MANAS Mobile Application: A mobile platform developed to provide support for mental health issues as part of the Tele-MANAS program.
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune: Location where a dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell has been established to provide tele-mental health assistance to Armed Forces personnel and their dependents.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1232
TO BE ANSWERED ON06TH FEBRUARY, 2026
NEWFEATURESOFTELE-MANAS
1232. SMT.POONAMBEN HEMATBHAIMAADAM:
Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government has launched new initiatives and enhanced features under the
National Tele Mental HealthProgramme (Tele-MANAS);
(b) if so, the detailsthereof;
(c)whether the Government hasassessed the impactof Tele-MANAS intermsof reachanduser
engagementinthe country; and
(d) if so, the detailsthereof
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) and (b) The Government of India has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme”
on 10th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care
services in the country. As on 02.02.2026, 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
than32.84 lakhcallshave been handledonthe 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-beingtomental disorders.
Tele-MANAS Mobile Application has been expanded to include 10 additional regional
languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia,
andPunjabi—along with the previously availablelanguages,English andHindi.
Tele-MANAS Mobile Application also assists visually challenged persons by making its mental
health services accessible through a specially designed, user-friendly digital interface and a toll-
free phone line that doesnot require screen use.The Government has also launched the video consultation facility under Tele-MANAS, as
anotherupgrade tothe already existing audiocallingfacility.
The Government has established a dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell at the Armed Forces Medical
College (AFMC), Pune to extend tele-mental health assistance and support to all Armed Forces
service personnel and their dependents, further enhancing the mental health care services
availabletothem.
(c) and (d) The World Health Organisation India has assessed the impact of the Tele Mental
Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) in terms of its reach and user
engagement across the country. A Rapid Assessment Report on Tele MANAS (2024) has been
published by WHO, which provides an overview of programme performance, reach, utilisation
patterns and user experience. The report is available on the website of the Ministry
(https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Rapid%20Assessment%20report%20on%20TeleMANA
S.pdf).
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