India mental health helpline: India’s flagship mental health helpline, Tele-MANAS, has received more than 24 lakh calls since its launch in October 2022. The data, revealed in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, shows that the 24×7 service is handling an average of 2,511 calls every day.
The service, operated under the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on October 10, 2022. Between December 1, 2022, and July 24, 2025, the helpline attended to 24,25,885 calls from 37 states and union territories.
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The RTI data revealed that adults between 31 and 60 years made the largest number of calls at 2,86,286, while the 19–30 age group followed with 1,98,409 calls. Senior citizens over 60 contributed 37,745 calls. Geographically, Uttar Pradesh led with 4,39,164 calls, while Tamil Nadu logged 3,87,190, Odisha 2,30,117, Maharashtra 1,83,442 and Rajasthan 39,996. Lakshadweep recorded the fewest calls at 722.
Call data revealed various stressors behind the demand for help. More than 73,000 calls were linked to financial stress, around 43,000 to study-related pressure, over 22,000 to job-related stress, nearly 18,000 to relationship issues, and more than 18,000 to family conflicts.
Kota-based activist and advocate Sujeet Swami, who filed the RTI in June 2024, said the response highlights the scale of India’s mental health crisis. “Despite limited awareness and promotion, the helpline is receiving more than 2,500 calls a day. This is a clear indicator that mental health is a pressing national issue,” he said. Swami urged both the Centre and state governments to develop a uniform National Mental Health Policy to address the growing burden. He noted that even though awareness about mental health is improving, many people still hesitate to seek professional help.
In response to the rising concerns, Swami and seven other mental health experts filed a public interest lawsuit in the Rajasthan High Court, seeking a uniform mental health curriculum and mandatory counsellors in all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities.
The Tele-MANAS helpline is available 24×7 at 14416 and 1-800-891-4416 and supports multiple Indian languages.
(Source: PTI: https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/Centre-s-Tele-MANAS-logs-over-24-lakh-calls-since-2022-launch–becomes-mental-health-lifeline/2830408)
