India launches mental health teleconsultation platform

The platform seeks to cater to people in remote areas.

The Indian government has launched a mental health teleconsultation platform in commemoration of World Mental Health Day, the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said in a press release.

The Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS), an initiative of the ministry, seeks to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas.

READ MORE: Indian government, university to work on tech-enabled medical datasets

The programme includes a network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence, with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) being the nodal centre and the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support, MoHFW said.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bengaluru and the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC) will also provide technical support.

The Union Government aims to open at least one Tele-MANAS Cell in each state or union territory, the ministry said.

A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number 14416 has been set up across the country allowing callers to select the language of choice. Service is also accessible at 1-800-91-4416. The calls would be routed to Tele-MANAS cells in the respective state and union territory.