Parliament Question: Tele Mental Health Assistance

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3403 TO BE ANSWERED ON07THAUGUST,2026 TELE MENTALHEALTH ASSISTANCE 3403. SHRICAPTAINBRIJESH CHOWTA: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate: (a) whether the Government has reviewed Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (TELE-MANAS) and mental-health access and sanctioned capacity, services, beneficiaries,claims or staffing,asapplicable, if so, the detailsthereof; (b)the details of funds, posts, facilities, utilisation and outcomes during the last three years, year/district-wise; (c)the detailsof pending approvals, vacancies,delaysandthe authorityresponsible; and (d)whether the Government has any time-bound plan to close the identified service and infrastructure gapsinthisregard,if so,the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (d) Public Health and Hospitals are a state subject. The Government had launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” (NTMHP) on 10th October, 2022, that functions as the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme to provide universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable and quality mental health care through 24 x 7 tele-mental healthcounselling services. Forthis, a toll-free number(14416) was set upacross the country. As on 27.07.2026, 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 42 lakh calls were handledonthe helpline numbersince inception. The implementation of Tele-MANAS was reviewed through regular monitoring by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and NIMHANS- the Apex Institute of National Tele Mental HealthProgramme. Further, 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) was published by WHO, which provides an overview of programme performance, reach, utilisation patterns anduser experience. The report is availableon the website of the Ministry(https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Rapid%20Assessment%20report%20on%20TeleMA NAS.pdf). The details of funds allocated and utilized for NTMHPsince inception andthe details thereof isasunder: (In Rs. crores) 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Institute RE Exp. RE Exp. RE Exp. RE Exp. NTMHP 120.98 65.49 65 32.91 45 42.29 45 44.10 The budget of NTMHP for States/UTs are released as part of the National Health Mission (NHM)with effect from 01.08.2025. 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 was 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. The Government is continuously strengthening the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) and Tele-MANAS to improve accessibility, quality and continuity of mental healthcare services across the country. The following measures are taken on anongoing basis for strengthening the programme: i. Strengthening of Tele-MANAS Cells across States/UTs under the National Health Mission (NHM); ii. Continuous recruitment,training, capacity buildingand supervision of Mental Health Counsellors andMental HealthSpecialists; iii. Strengthening of digital infrastructure through the Tele-MANAS mobile application, video consultation services, multilingual support, accessibility features and integrationwith digital healthplatforms; iv. Strengthening referral linkages between Tele-MANAS and District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), tertiary care institutions and other healthcare facilities to ensure continuityof care; v. Regular monitoring and review of programme performance through key service deliveryindicators. ***