Over 525 individuals receive mental health support in UP Daily

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is taking significant steps to improve healthcare, with its Tele-Manas mental health helpline providing accessible and reliable psychological support to people throughout the state, official sources said on Monday.   

Sources said that recognising the rising need for mental wellness, the Yogi government launched the Tele-Manas helpline in October 2022, extending mental health services to both urban and rural areas. "Since then, over 3.45 lakh people have benefited from the initiative," they said, news agency UNI reported.

National Health Mission (NHM) Mission Director Dr Pinky Jowel highlighted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's deep concern for mental health, describing it as one of the most pressing issues of our time. "He believes timely counselling and support are crucial to addressing mental health challenges. It was with this vision that the Tele-Manas service was launched. Efforts are now being intensified to extend the service to remote areas," she said.

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She said, "A standout feature of Tele-Manas is its round-the-clock availability, offering free and confidential counselling from trained mental health professionals. Currently, 64 trained counsellors are active across the state, collectively responding to an average of 525 callers daily."

Jowel said that four Tele-Manas centers are operational in UP, at the Department of Psychiatry, BRD Medical College (Gorakhpur), Mental Health Institute and Hospital (Agra), Mental Hospital (Bareilly) and Mental Hospital (Varanasi). "Through these centres, callers receive primary consultation, guidance and referrals to further medical support when required," she said.

She said that the central government has recognised UP's Tele-Manas service as one of the best in the country, awarding it third place among large states. "This recognition is a testament to the Yogi government's commitment to prioritising mental health, its effective handling of service delivery and its ability to reach the maximum number of beneficiaries through a responsive and efficient system," she said.

The Mission Director said that in the financial year 2024–25 alone, Tele-Manas counsellors have handled 2,13,779 calls, taking the total number of calls since the inception of the service to 3,45,783. "On average, around 525 individuals are benefiting from the service each day," she said.

She said that to ensure easy access, the Yogi government has launched two helpline numbers, 14416 and 1800-891-4416 (toll-free), through which anyone in need of mental health support can connect with expert counsellors. "The entire consultation process is confidential, providing a safe and supportive environment for callers to express their concerns freely," she said.

She said that the Tele-Manas mental health counselling service has not only helped raise awareness about mental well-being but has also emerged as a lifeline by offering free and high-quality consultations to those struggling with mental health challenges.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is actively considering expanding this initiative to reach even more people, ensuring that mental wellness becomes a priority for every citizen in the state and guiding millions toward a healthier, more positive life.

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