Why in news
- Union Health Ministry highlighted Tele-MANAS operations on World Mental Health Day, with 53 operational cells handling over 47 lakh calls.
Key terms
Tele-MANAS
Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States initiative providing 24/7 tele-counselling.
District Mental Health Programme
A decentralized scheme aimed at providing community-based mental healthcare at the district level.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir
Upgraded primary health sub-centres and PHCs providing comprehensive primary healthcare services.
Treatment Gap
The proportion of people with mental health conditions who do not receive treatment.
What is Tele-MANAS?
- National tele-mental health program launched in October 2022 under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).
- Provides free, confidential, 24/7 tele-counselling services via national toll-free number 14416.
Operational Framework and Reach
- Operates a two-tiered structure: Tier-1 comprises state-level Tele-MANAS cells for initial triage and counselling, while Tier-2 provides specialized consultations via psychiatrists at District Mental Health Programmes (DMHP) or tertiary centers.
- Integrated across all 36 States and UTs with 53 active cells; integrated into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for primary-level mental healthcare referral.
Why it matters
- Bypasses geographical barrier and social stigma associated with seeking mental health support in physical facilities.
- Serves as a scalable model to address India's wide mental healthcare treatment gap.
Prelims facts
- Tele-MANAS operates as a two-tiered digital mental health support mechanism coordinated by NIMHANS.
Mains discussion
- Role of digital health interventions in bridging India's mental health infrastructure deficit.
Source: PIB
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