Context: The health ministry said Tele-MANAS Seva under National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), has counselled more than 3,50,000 people till date.
About Tele Manas Seva
- Launched in: Budget 2022-23
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry for Health & Family Welfare.
- Coordinating Centre: National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS).
- Objective: To provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas & to open at least one Tele-MANAS Cell in each State/UT.
- Key features: A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number (14416) has been set up across the country allowing callers to select the language (till now 20 languages) of choice for availing services.
- Provides basic support and counselling through centralised Interactive Voice Response system (IVRS) is being customised for use across all states and UTs.
- Will be organised in two tier systems:
- Tier 1 comprises state Tele-MANAS cells which include trained counsellors and mental health specialists.
- Tier 2 will comprise specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio visual consultation.
- Specialised care is being envisioned through the programme by linking Tele-MANAS with other services like National tele-consultation service, e-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, mental health professionals, Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres and emergency psychiatric facilities.
National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)
- Launched in: 1982
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry for Health & Family Welfare.
- Aims:
- Prevention and treatment of mental and neurological disorders and their associated disabilities.
- Use of mental health technology to improve general health services.
- Application of mental health principles in total national development to improve quality of life.
- Objectives
- To ensure availability and accessibility of minimum mental health care for all in the forseeable future, particularly to the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of population.
- To encourage application of mental health knowledge in general health care and in social development.
- To promote community participation in the mental health services development and to stimulate efforts towards self-help in the community.