Tele MANAS

On World Mental Health Day 2025, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched several new initiatives to further enhance the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS). This initiative has gained significant traction as an essential part of India's efforts to provide universal, equitable, and accessible mental health care across the country.

What is Tele MANAS?

Tele MANAS stands for Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States. It is a nationwide mental health initiative started by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2022. The goal is to address the growing need for mental health support in India, offering a 24x7 tele-mental health service that is part of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).

Key Features of Tele MANAS:

• Universal Access: Tele MANAS is available across all states and union territories in India, ensuring equitable access to mental health care.

• Affordability and Quality: The program offers affordable mental health services, helping bridge gaps in mental health infrastructure and support, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Tele MANAS Structure: Two-Tier System

The Tele MANAS program operates through a two-tier system to ensure effective care delivery and support at different levels:

Tier 1:

• State Tele MANAS Cells: These cells are staffed with trained counselors and mental health specialists who provide immediate support.

  • Tele-Counseling: Offers direct psychological support to individuals.

  • Tele-Consultation: Enables mental health professionals to conduct initial consultations via phone or digital platforms.

Tier 2:

• Specialist Support: Tier 2 involves a more advanced support system through District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) facilities and medical colleges.

  • This tier offers access to specialized consultations, including audiovisual consultations via the e-Sanjeevani platform for in-depth care.

  • It provides additional resources for physical consultations when needed, ensuring holistic care for complex cases.

Key Features and Enhancements in 2025:

• Mobile App Launch: Tele MANAS launched a mobile app that serves as a comprehensive platform for accessing mental health resources. The app includes:

  • Self-care tips and stress management strategies.

  • Tools for recognizing early distress signals.

  • A Chatbot feature (Asmi), which provides immediate support and information.

  • Emergency Module to guide individuals during critical moments of mental distress.

• Multi-Lingual Interface: To ensure wider reach and accessibility, the app now supports 10 regional languages in addition to English and Hindi. These languages include:

  • Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Punjabi.

  • This multilingual support ensures that the service is accessible to a broader population, addressing language barriers that often hinder access to mental health care.

Importance of Tele MANAS for India:

• Increasing Demand for Mental Health Services: The pandemic and increasing societal pressures have resulted in a surge in mental health concerns. Tele MANAS seeks to address these rising challenges by providing immediate, affordable, and accessible services.

• Bridging the Mental Health Gap: Mental health services have traditionally been underdeveloped in many regions of India, especially in rural and underserved areas. Tele MANAS helps to overcome these barriers by utilizing telecommunication technologies to provide services where physical infrastructure may be lacking.

• Support for Mental Health Awareness: The app and initiatives are also aimed at promoting awareness about mental health issues, helping people understand and manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges proactively.