Tele-MANAS initiative
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2022), the Indian Government launched the Tele-MANAS initiative.
Key facts
- Launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative is a round-the-clock mental health service that aims to increase access to mental healthcare across India.
- The Tele-MANAS will boost access to mental healthcare across the country by providing nationwide network offering counselling, consultation with specialist and e-prescriptions.
- It aims to make mental healthcare services accessible to even the remotest and difficult-to-reach terrains in the country.
- The initiative was first announced by the Central Government during the 2022-23 Budget, while acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in India.
- Initially, the service will be launched in 20 states and union territories. It will later be expanded to include other parts of the country as well.
- This mental health service can be accessed by calling the helpline number 14416 and 1-800-91-4416.
- The callers will first reach the interactive voice response (IVRS) and then the call will be transferred to a trained counsellor in their areas.
- If required, callers will be connected to mental health specialists like psychiatric social workers, psychiatric nurse, psychiatrist and clinical psychologists.
- In case the caller requires an in-person service, he/she will be referred to a health and wellness centre or primary healthcare or tertiary healthcare.
- Tele-MANAS initiative will be the digital arm of the National Mental Health Programme and District Mental Health Programme.
- The nodal centre for its implementation is National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS).
- Technical support for this initiative will be provided by IIT Bombay.
- The initiative will also involve five regional coordination centres and 23 mentoring institutes like PGIMER, AIIMS and Delhi-based Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences.
Month: Current Affairs - October, 2022
Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs • Important Days & Events Current Affairs