Prime Highlights
- India has expanded Tele-MANAS with more languages, video consultations, and improved accessibility features.
- The programme continues to strengthen nationwide mental health support, especially for rural and vulnerable communities.
Key Facts
- Tele-MANAS now offers services in 20 languagesand has handled over 29.82 lakh calls since launch.
- 36 States and UTshave set up 53 Tele-MANAS Cells, including a dedicated centre for defence personnel at AFMC Pune.
Background
The Government of India has taken a significant step toward improving nationwide access to mental health support by expanding the National Tele-Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) and introducing new capabilities on its dedicated mobile application. The updates were shared by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Tele-MANAS, launched on 10 October 2022, was created to offer accessible and affordable mental health counselling to people across the country. The launch of the Tele-MANAS mobile app on World Mental Health Day in 2024 added a comprehensive digital platform that supports mental well-being, early intervention, and guidance for mental health disorders.
In a push to reach more communities, the app now supports 10 additional regional languages, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia and Punjabi, along with English and Hindi. With the latest update, the platform now offers mental health support in 20 languages, depending on what each State and Union Territory can provide.
The service has also been made easier to use for people with visual impairments through a specially designed interface. A toll-free helpline is also available for people who need support without using a screen, making sure help is accessible to everyone.
As of 27 November 2025, 36 States and Union Territories have set up 53 Tele-MANAS Cells, creating a nationwide network of mental health support centres. Since it began, the service has handled over 29.82 lakh calls, including more than 12 lakh calls this year. This shows that more people know about the service and are reaching out for help.
A new video consultation option has also been added to the current phone system. It allows for more personal conversations and is useful for people who need detailed guidance or follow-up care.
To support defence personnel, a special Tele-MANAS centre has been set up at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. It offers mental health help to service members and their families, ensuring they receive timely support wherever they are stationed.
