How Tele-MANAS helpline in Telangana grew to become a lifeline for 1.3 lakh callers

While the bodily signs had been being handled, his psychological well being started to unravel. Panic episodes, intrusive ideas, and a rising sense of hopelessness slowly took maintain, affecting his capability to perform each day. Then he turned to 14416, the toll-free helpline of the Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative.

The name was transferred to a psychiatrist. Over the following jiffy, he was inspired to talk freely and reassured about confidentiality. He was assessed for suicidal ideation and educated in regards to the hyperlink between bodily and psychological well being. “He agreed to hunt additional care on the District Hospital. A couple of days later, throughout a follow-up session, he confirmed that he was already feeling higher,” stated a counsellor.

But his case is only one amongst hundreds. Since its launch in October 2022, Tele-MANAS helpline in Telangana has obtained over 1.38 lakh calls from individuals throughout the State experiencing psychological well being issues, from nervousness and melancholy to substance use, sleep disturbances, and suicidal ideation. The round the clock name centre on the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, is staffed by a group comprising two psychiatrists, one scientific psychologist, 14 skilled counsellors, two technical coordinators, and two assist employees.

Each day, the centre fields between 150 to 200 calls, connecting people to certified psychological well being professionals who present quick assist and refer critical instances to native District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) clinics or authorities hospitals. The intervention is free, confidential, and accessible to anybody with a telephone.

The helpline’s affect is obvious throughout all 33 districts. Kamareddy district recorded the best variety of calls at 19,366, adopted by Hyderabad (9,904), Hanamkonda (8,086), Siddipet (7,911), and Vikarabad (7,067).

“Most frequent callers are younger adults, unemployed people, and folks coping with sudden medical or monetary stressors. Callers typically report feeling remoted or unable to talk overtly with members of the family, which is the place the anonymity and availability of the helpline make a important distinction,” stated a Tele-MANAS official.