Himachal Pradesh Launches Tele MANAS, a Mental Health Care Service

Himachal Pradesh Launches Tele MANAS, a Mental Health Care Service

The Himachal Pradesh government launched Tele MANAS, a comprehensive mental health care service, on September 28, 2023, to provide universal access to equitable, affordable, and accessible mental health care online.

The state has set up round-the-clock Tele call centers in Public Private Participation (PPP) mode with trained counselors to receive calls from patients and their attendants on the toll-free number 14416 or 1800-891-4416. Initially, there will be eight counselors for online counseling, which can be increased later as per the need.

Tele MANAS was launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to cater to the people living in remote and under-served areas.

The Tele MANAS programme will be a two-tier system. Tier-1 will be a State Tele MANAS Cell with trained counselors for online counseling. Tier-2 will be physical consultation with a psychiatrist at a medical college or District level Hospital where the patient will go directly or after referral from the call center.

Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that the key focus would remain on adolescent age groups at school and college level as the younger generation takes extra stress for performing better in academics and at their workplaces.

A grant of Rs. 1.06 crore has been provided by the Union government to start the services in the state. Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IBHAS) Delhi is assigned as the regional coordination center for HP and will help in capacity building. Besides, IGMCH Shimla will be the mentoring institute for this programme and will help in developing state-specific protocols and guidelines. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, and IIIT Bengaluru will provide the technical support.

This is a significant development for mental health care in Himachal Pradesh, as it will make it easier and more accessible for people to seek help. Tele MANAS can also help to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage people to talk about their mental health.

Secretary, Health M.Sudha Devi, Mission Director, NHM Priyanka Verma, Director Health,  Dr. Gopal Berry, HoD psychiatry, IGMC Dr. Dinesh Dutt Sharma, State Programme Officer Dr. Gopal Chauhan were present in person besides all the CMO’s from the districts joined virtually.

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