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Picture Courtesy:  The Hindu

Context:

Karnataka Tele-MANAS cell under the National Tele Mental Health Programme has experienced a nearly 60-fold increase in calls. Rural callers now make up 68% of the total, reflecting rising awareness and growing mental health needs outside urban centers. Urban callers account for 32% of calls. 

Current Status of Tele MANAS (Mental Health):

• Total Calls Received: Over 70,260 calls in 2025 alone, with a cumulative total exceeding 340,000 calls since its inception in 2022. (Source: The Times of India)
• Daily Call Volume: The helpline now handles more than 340 calls per day, reflecting a nearly 60-fold increase since its launch. (Source: The Times of India) 

• Rural vs. Urban Calls: Approximately 68% of calls originate from rural areas, indicating a significant rise in mental health awareness and help-seeking behavior outside urban centers. (Source: The Times of India) 

• Demographics (Source: The Times of India):
• Age Group: The majority of callers are between 18 to 45 years, accounting for about 68% of all calls.
• Gender Distribution: 66% male and 46% female callers.
• Common Issues: Persistent sadness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances are among the most reported concerns.

Picture Courtesy:  The Hindu

What is Mental Health issue and Tele Manas?

Mental health issues are conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood, often interfering with daily life. They can range from mild stress and anxiety to severe conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

Common signs include:

• Persistent sadness or low mood
• Anxiety or excessive worry
• Sleep problems
• Irritability or anger
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Difficulty coping with daily stress

Causes: Mental health issues can result from a combination of factors such as genetics, trauma, stress, social isolation, or physical illness.

Tele-MANAS is a telephonic mental health support service in India, part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme. It provides free, confidential counseling for people facing mental health challenges.

Key features:

• 24/7 tele-counseling (calls can be made anytime, including late nights)
• Accessible in rural and urban areas
• Referrals to mental health professionals for in-person care if needed
• Support for all age groups, from adolescents to elderly
• Community outreach through ASHA workers and local health camps

Purpose: To make mental health services accessible, affordable, and stigma-free, especially in areas where professional help is limited.

Picture Courtesy: PIB

Developments in Mental Health Programmes:

Implication:

Rural vs. Urban Awareness

• Data: 68% of Tele-MANAS calls in Karnataka come from rural areas; 32% from urban areas.
• Implication: Mental health awareness is rising in rural populations, challenging the notion that mental health is only an urban concern. (Source: The Hindu, Oct 24, 2025) 

Age-wise Trends

• Data: 18–45 years: 68% of calls; 46–64 years: 17.1%; 13–17 years: 6.5%.
• Implication: Young adults are the most affected demographic, highlighting the stressors of modern life, education, and employment pressures. (Source: Tele-MANAS Annual Report, 2025) 

Gender-specific Concerns

• Data:66% male callers; 46% female callers.
• Implication: Men primarily seek help for financial stress and substance use; women for interpersonal issues, domestic violence, and loneliness. (Source: NIMHANS Psychiatry Department, 2025)

Rural Mental Health Challenges

• Observations: Distress in rural areas often appears as confusion, suspicion, or erratic behaviour. Access to professional care is limited.
• Implication: Tele-counselling bridges the gap, but systemic issues like poverty, limited health infrastructure, and climate stress persist. (Source: ASHA Worker Interviews, 2025) 

Urban Mental Health Challenges

• Observations: Urban distress often manifests as anxiety, sleeplessness, or emotional exhaustion. Many avoid professional help due to cost perceptions.
• Implication: Tele-MANAS provides an affordable, accessible support system to counter stigma and high costs of private counselling. (Source: State DMHP Psychologists, 2025) 

Role of Technology

• Observations: Increasing use of AI chatbots for emotional support. Late-night call volumes to helplines have surged.
• Implication: While technology increases accessibility, it cannot fully replace culturally sensitive human counselling. (Source: Mukta Gundi, Azim Premji University, 2025) 

Government Initiative:

Way Forward:

• Expand Tele-MANAS – Increase helpline coverage, especially in rural areas (68% of Karnataka calls are rural). 

• Community Outreach – Strengthen ASHA workers and Manochaitanya camps for awareness. 

• Affordable Counselling – Provide low-cost/free services for students, women, and vulnerable groups. 

• Awareness Campaigns – Promote mental health literacy in schools, workplaces, and communities. 

• Data-Driven Policies – Use call data to identify gaps and target underserved populations. 

• Integrate with Primary Healthcare – Train general practitioners to detect and refer cases early. 

• Address Rural-Urban Differences – Tailor interventions to context-specific stressors. 

• Reduce Stigma & Build Support – Encourage community recognition of mental health issues.

Source: The Hindu