Government Strengthens Mental Healthcare Network with Tele-MANAS Expansion

India is steadily strengthening its mental healthcare ecosystem with a renewed push under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). With rising awareness around mental well-being and increasing demand for accessible services, the government is focusing on expanding care at the grassroots level, integrating mental health into primary healthcare, and leveraging digital platforms like Tele-MANAS.

The initiative aims to bridge gaps in accessibility, especially for vulnerable populations such as postpartum mothers, while improving infrastructure, training, and service delivery nationwide.

Expansion of Mental Healthcare Under NMHP

Wider Reach Through District Mental Health Programme

The Central Government has significantly scaled up mental health services through the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), ensuring wider accessibility across the country.

Under this initiative, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) has now been sanctioned in 767 districts, enabling states and Union Territories to deliver mental health services with support from the National Health Mission.

Services Available at Local Levels

Mental health services are increasingly being delivered at the grassroots through:

• Community Health Centres (CHCs)
• Primary Health Centres (PHCs)

These facilities provide:

• Outpatient consultations
• Psychological counselling
• Psycho-social interventions
• Long-term care for severe mental illnesses

At the district level, infrastructure has also improved with 10-bed inpatient facilities, ensuring immediate care for patients requiring hospitalization.

Integration with Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Strengthen Primary Care

A major milestone in India's healthcare transformation is the integration of mental health services into primary care through the Ayushman Bharat initiative.

Over 1.83 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, providing:

• Holistic healthcare services
• Mental health screening and support
• Early detection of mental and neurological conditions

Capacity Building and Training

The government has also introduced:

• Standardized operational guidelines
• Training modules for healthcare workers

These efforts equip frontline staff to manage:

• Mental health disorders
• Neurological conditions
• Substance use issues

Strengthening Tertiary Mental Healthcare Infrastructure

Centres of Excellence and Medical Education

To improve advanced treatment and academic capacity:

• 25 Centres of Excellence have been approved
• 19 government medical colleges have been supported
• 47 postgraduate departments in mental health specialities have been strengthened

This expansion is expected to address the shortage of trained mental health professionals in India.

Focus on Women and Postpartum Mental Health

Addressing Postpartum Depression

While the government does not maintain centralized data on postpartum depression, it referenced findings from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, which indicate that depressive disorders affect around 5.72% of adult women in India.

Role of Frontline Health Workers

Frontline workers such as:

• ASHA workers
• Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)

play a critical role in:

• Conducting postnatal visits
• Monitoring both physical and mental health
• Referring cases for specialized care

These services are supported under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.

Mental Health Institutions Across India

India currently has 47 government-run mental hospitals, including premier institutions such as:

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
• Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health
• Central Institute of Psychiatry

Additionally, mental healthcare services are available across all institutions under the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Tele-MANAS: Revolutionising Mental Health Access

Launch and Growth of Tele Mental Health Programme

To enhance accessibility, the government launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme in October 2022.

As of March 2026:

• 36 states and Union Territories have operational services
• 53 Tele-MANAS cells are functional
• Approximately 34.34 lakh calls have been handled via the helpline

Tele MANAS Mobile Application

In October 2024, the government further expanded services with the launch of the Tele MANAS mobile app, offering:

• Mental wellness support
• Clinical consultation services
• Video consultation facilities

This digital platform complements existing telephonic services and enhances accessibility for users across urban and rural areas.

Government Statement in Parliament

The developments were highlighted in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, in response to a parliamentary query.

Conclusion

India’s push to expand mental healthcare under the NMHP reflects a comprehensive and multi-layered approach that combines infrastructure development, digital innovation, and community-level outreach. With initiatives like Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Tele-MANAS, mental health services are becoming more accessible and inclusive. However, continued focus on awareness, workforce expansion, and data collection—especially in areas like postpartum mental health—will be crucial to sustaining long-term progress and ensuring equitable mental healthcare for all.