As India confronts a growing mental health crisis amid increasing urban stress, social isolation, exam-related pressure, and post-pandemic psychological fatigue, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has operationalized Tele MANAS — a 24×7 national mental health helpline aimed at providing free, accessible, and confidential psychological support to anyone in need.
Citizens can dial 14416 (or the toll-free alternate number 1-800-891-4416) to reach trained mental health professionals including clinical psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists in over 20 Indian languages. The initiative is part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), launched under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and aligned with India’s National Health Policy 2017, which emphasizes universal mental wellness.
Why Tele MANAS Was Launched
According to the National Mental Health Survey conducted by NIMHANS, nearly 1 in 7 Indians is affected by mental health issues. Yet, over 70% do not receive proper treatment due to factors like stigma, cost, geographic inaccessibility, or lack of awareness. India’s ratio of mental health professionals to population remains critically low, especially in rural and tier-2 regions.
To address this gap, Tele MANAS was conceptualized as a centralized tele-counselling network integrated with state-level mental health infrastructure, supported by Digital India, and designed for real-time support, referrals, and follow-ups.
Key Features of the Tele MANAS Helpline (14416):
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Availability | 24×7, 365 days |
| Cost | Completely free of charge |
| Access | Nationwide, multilingual service |
| Confidentiality | 100% anonymous and secure |
| Counselling Staff | Clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, trained counsellors |
| Referral System | Integrated with District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) for in-person care |
| Languages Supported | Hindi, English, Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Gujarati, and others |
- Emotional support and counselling
- Stress, anxiety, depression management
- Exam-related mental stress support
- Grief and trauma counselling
- Substance abuse and addiction-related help
- Domestic violence and gender-based distress response
- Emergency psychological first aid
- Referral to psychiatrists or mental health institutions for follow-up care
Government Backing & Implementation Framework
- NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) is the technical nodal agency.
- State Tele MANAS Cells operate under District Mental Health Programmes (DMHPs).
- The service is also part of India’s broader Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM).
- Over 40+ regional centres and 600+ counsellors currently support the helpline.
The government plans to further scale the initiative to integrate with schools, colleges, and corporate wellness programmes.