All About Tele-Manas by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

On World Mental Health Day, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative marked a new milestone in the field of mental health. It was launched virtually at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, by Sh. Thawar Chand Gehlot, Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka, who was accompanied by Dr. K. Sudhakar, Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education in Karnataka and Vice-President of NIMHANS.

The Government of India announced the National Tele Mental Health Program (NTMHP) in the Union Budget 2022-23 in recognition of the mental health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent requirement to establish a digital mental health network that can withstand the challenges posed by the pandemic. Tele-MANAS aims to provide 24/7 free tele-mental health services nationwide, particularly to those living in rural or underserved areas. The program consists of a network of 23 tele-mental health centers of excellence, with NIMHANS serving as the center of gravity and the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) assisting with technology. The technical support will be provided by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bengaluru.

There will be two levels of organization for Tele-MANAS; State Tele-MANAS cells, which include mental health professionals and trained counsellors, make up Tier 1. Specialists at the District Mental Health Program (DMHP)/Medical College resources for in-person consultations and/or e-Sanjeevani for video and audio consultations will make up Tier 2. 51 State/UT Tele MANAS cells and five regional coordination centers are currently in place. In each state or UT, the Union Government wants to open at least one Tele-MANAS cell. The initial rollout, which uses a centralized Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) to provide basic support and counselling, is being tailored for use in all States and UTs. In addition to assisting in the provision of immediate mental health services, this will also facilitate the continuum of care. By connecting Tele-MANAS to other services like the National tele-consultation service, e-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, mental health professionals, Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centers, and emergency psychiatric facilities, the program is aiming to create specialized care. This will eventually incorporate all mental health care systems and encompass the entire spectrum of mental health. 900 Tele MANAS counsellors from the majority of States and UTs have received training from NIMHANS.