Tele MANAS (National Tele Mental Health Programme of India. An initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India), Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Tele MANAS, the National Tele Mental Health Programme by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, offers 24/7 support in over 20 languages across India.
• The program addresses various concerns, including stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts.
• Tele MANAS has assisted with over 30 lakh calls in the last 3 years.
• The toll-free number to access Tele MANAS is 14416.
• The Tele MANAS App provides self-help materials in 10 regional languages plus English and Hindi, with accessibility features and a chatbot named Asmi.

Detailed Insights:

• Tele MANAS aims to mainstream conversations around mental health and provide accessible support.
• The initiative acknowledges that mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being.
• The program offers support for a wide range of issues, including exam stress, family problems, relationship problems, and substance-related issues.
• The Tele MANAS app includes features designed for differently-abled users, ensuring inclusivity.
• Asmi, the chatbot, helps users with queries, resources, and connection to mental health support.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Mental Health: A state of well-being in which an individual realizes their abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and contribute to their community.
• Telehealth: The delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunications technologies.
• Accessibility: The design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities.