**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the measures taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to strengthen and integrate mental healthcare services across India under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). Key initiatives include the expansion of the District Mental Health Programme to 767 districts, the integration of mental health into primary care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and the launch of the Tele-MANAS digital platform. As of March 2026, the government has focused on increasing tertiary care capacity and providing universal 24/7 tele-counselling services in 20 languages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Primary and District Level Healthcare Integration**
* **District Mental Health Programme (DMHP):** Sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts with support from the National Health Mission.
* **Ayushman Arogya Mandirs:** Over 1.77 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been upgraded to provide integrated mental health service packages.
* **Service Scope:** Facilities include outpatient services, assessments, psycho-social interventions, 10-bedded in-patient facilities at the district level, and mobile outreach/ambulance services.
* **Operational Support:** Guidelines and training manuals have been released for various cadres to manage Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS).
**Tertiary Care and Academic Expansion**
* **Centres of Excellence:** 25 centres have been sanctioned to increase PG student intake and provide specialized tertiary treatment.
* **Institutional Strengthening:** 19 Government medical colleges received support to strengthen 47 PG departments in mental health specialties.
* **Specialized Hospitals:** There are 47 government-run mental hospitals, including three Central Mental Health Institutions (NIMHANS-Bengaluru, LGBRIMH-Tezpur, and CIP-Ranchi), with services also available at all AIIMS.
**Digital and Tele-Mental Health Initiatives**
* **Tele-MANAS:** A 24/7 national tele-mental health helpline (toll-free 14416) providing equitable and affordable care.
* **Infrastructure:** 53 Tele MANAS Cells are operational across 36 States and UTs, handling over 34.34 lakh calls since inception.
* **Language Support:** Services are offered in 20 different languages based on state requirements.
* **Digital Upgrades:** Launch of the Tele-MANAS Mobile Application for mental well-being and the introduction of a new video consultation facility to complement existing audio services.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Public / Patients**
**Impact**
Citizens gain universal access to equitable and affordable mental health support through local primary centers and 24/7 digital platforms.
**Action Required**
Individuals can access immediate support by calling the toll-free number (14416) or using the Tele-MANAS mobile application.
**State and Union Territory (UT) Governments**
**Impact**
States receive financial and structural support via the National Health Mission to implement DMHP and Tele MANAS cells.
**Action Required**
States must continue to set up and manage Tele MANAS cells and opt for relevant local languages for service delivery.
**Medical Educational Institutions**
**Impact**
Increased capacity for postgraduate studies in mental health specialties through government sanctions and departmental strengthening.
**Action Required**
Sanctioned Centres of Excellence and medical colleges must increase student intake and enhance tertiary treatment facilities as directed.
**Healthcare Workers (Primary Level)**
**Impact**
Staff at SHCs and PHCs are now required to provide mental health services as part of comprehensive primary healthcare.
**Action Required**
Personnel must utilize the released operational guidelines and training manuals to manage Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS).
Key Entities Referenced
National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): The primary national framework implemented to provide mental healthcare services, including tertiary care components and support for medical colleges.
District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): A core component of the NMHP sanctioned in 767 districts to provide outpatient services, counseling, and psycho-social interventions at the community level.
National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS): The digital arm of the DMHP providing 24/7 tele-mental health counseling services and a dedicated mobile application for mental health support.
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: Upgraded health centers where mental health services are integrated into the Comprehensive Primary Health Care packages.
National Health Mission (NHM): The overarching mission that provides support to States and Union Territories for the implementation of the District Mental Health Programme.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps Taken to Strengthen and Integrate Mental
Healthcare Services
District Mental Health Programme has been sanctioned for
implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided
to States/UTs through the National Health Mission
Mental health services have been added in the packages of
services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided
at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase
the intake of students in PG departments in mental health
specialties and to provide tertiary level treatment facilities
There are 47 Government run mental hospitals in the country,
including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions
Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health
Programme” to provide universal access to equitable,
accessible, affordable and quality mental health care through
24 x 7 tele-mental health counselling services
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 been handled on Tele
MANAS since inception
Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive mobile
platform, developed to provide support for mental health
issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 2:33PM by PIB DelhiThe Government 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, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social
interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach
services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient
facility at the District level.
The Government is also taking steps to integrate mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level.
The Government has upgraded more than 1.77 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 been released under the ambit of Ayushman
Bharat.
Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase
the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialties as well as to provide tertiary level
treatment facilities. Further, the Government has also supported 19 Government medical
colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health Specialties.
There are 47 Government run mental hospitals in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health
Institutions, viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath
Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.
Mental Health Services are also provisioned in all AIIMS.
The Government has 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 health
counselling services. For this, a toll-free number (14416) has been set 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 been handled on the
helpline number since 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 video consultation facility under Tele-MANAS, as another
upgrade to the already existing audio calling facility.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written
reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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SR
HFW/PQ-Steps taken to Integrate Mental Healthcare Services/27 March 2026/5
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