NEW DELHI: As stress, anxiety and emotional distress are being discussed more openly in India, the country’s national mental health helpline is ringing more than ever. Since its launch in October 2022, the Tele-MANAS service has handled over 34.34 lakh calls from people seeking psychological support, according to data shared in Parliament.The numbers also reveal where the demand is strongest. In the first two months of 2026, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of calls — over 54,000, followed by Tamil Nadu (around 22,700), Karnataka (about 22,600) and Maharashtra (around 19,564).Parliamentary data also show that calls to the Tele-MANAS helpline have increased steadily since the programme began. In Karnataka, the NIMHANS centre handled 17,072 calls in 2023, rising to 23,442 in 2024 and further to 57,601 in 2025, while Tamil Nadu recorded over 78,000 calls in 2023 and more than 1.05 lakh in 2024 at one centre alone.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war falloutRising Gulf-Iran Tensions: elites press US to hit Iran harder; fear threat to HormuzAudio Details Iran Strike Aftermath: Mojtaba survives ‘Blue Sparrow’ hit; family and commanders killedThe helpline, Tele-MANAS, operates under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) and allows people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress or emotional crises to connect with trained counsellors over the phone.Dr Naveen Kumar C, Professor of Psychiatry and Principal Investigator of the National Tele Mental Health Programme of India, said callers commonly report low mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances and stress related to exams, workplaces and relationships, a pattern seen across the country since the service began.The service currently functions through 53 Tele-MANAS centres across 36 states and Union territories, offering counselling in 20 languages depending on the language opted by states.The national capital Delhi recorded 5,738 calls between January and February 2026, handled by the Tele-MANAS centre at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS).“Most calls to Tele-MANAS relate to everyday emotional distress such as anxiety, sleep problems and relationship stress, while about 3–5% involve crises including suicidal thoughts,” said Dr Om Prakash, Professor of Psychiatry at IHBAS Delhi, adding that such calls are prioritised for immediate counselling and urgent referral. Nearly 80% of callers are aged 18–45.Counsellors are also authorised to conduct follow-up calls in situations requiring continued support, including cases involving suicidal thoughts, recent attempts, domestic or sexual violence, or when callers request further counselling.However, government data point to staff shortages at several centres, with many sanctioned posts lying vacant in some states, raising concerns about whether the system can keep pace with rising demand.Experts say the surge in calls reflects both increasing mental health stress and a gradual reduction in stigma around seeking psychological help.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Dismisses Iran ‘Tanker Swap’ Deal Reports As Baseless, Ensures Safe Ship Movement Amid Crisis‘Biased Characterization Of India’: MEA Slams USCIRF Report Seeking Sanctions On RSS, R&AWJoint Tax Filing To Zero Penalties: AAP MP Raghav Chadha Pushes Big Relief For Common IndiansIndia Vs Pakistan Showdown At UN: Delhi Calls Out ‘Imaginary Islamophobia’ Claims, Afghan StrikesNDA Storm In Rajya Sabha Polls Bihar Clean Sweep Odisha Wins Haryana On HoldIndia Holds Off On US Trade Deal Signing As Washington Resets Global Tariff ArchitectureInternet Calls Bibi’s Cafe Video ‘Deepfake’, Israel Says PM Alive; ‘Free Palestine’ Echoes At OscarsIran Seeks Return Of 3 Tankers Seized By India In Return For Hormuz Safe Passage: ReportThree Indian Navy Destroyers Quietly Secure Oil Tankers Passage Through Volatile HormuzAnother Pinaka Regiment Becomes Operational, Three More By 2027: Reports123PhotostoriesChef Sanjeev Kapoor’s 7-step guide on how to soft-boil and hard-boil eggs: 5 easy recipes for lunch and dinnerHigh blood pressure isn’t just a heart problem, it’s a kidney alarm6 intelligent animals and birds on Earth after humans and where to spot themLakshmi Vilas Palace: 8 stunning facts about the world’s largest private homeMore than diabetes, more than the neck: Where Acanthosis Nigricans can hide10 home names inspired by flowers from around the worldBaby names for girls born during Navratri10 countries with the highest bird species in the world; India also secures a spot7 effective ways to keep your home cool during heatwavesUpcoming OTT releases this week (March 16 to 21): ‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘Chiraiya’, ‘BTS: The Comeback Live’, and more123Hot PicksDoha travel alertLadakh statehood ralliesRasgulla choking deathGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingMagic JohnsonIndia LPG TankerGreen Card HoldersTaylor SwiftTeam VenezuelaGreen Card HoldersAssembly election dateWWE Raw NewsCarlos Correa WifeEid ul fitr 2026
NEW DELHI: As stress, anxiety and emotional distress are being discussed more openly in India, the country’s national mental health helpline is ringing more than ever. Since its launch in October 2022, the Tele-MANAS service has handled over 34.34 lakh calls from people seeking psychological support, according to data shared in Parliament.The numbers also reveal where the demand is strongest. In the first two months of 2026, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of calls — over 54,000, followed by Tamil Nadu (around 22,700), Karnataka (about 22,600) and Maharashtra (around 19,564).Parliamentary data also show that calls to the Tele-MANAS helpline have increased steadily since the programme began. In Karnataka, the NIMHANS centre handled 17,072 calls in 2023, rising to 23,442 in 2024 and further to 57,601 in 2025, while Tamil Nadu recorded over 78,000 calls in 2023 and more than 1.05 lakh in 2024 at one centre alone.The helpline, Tele-MANAS, operates under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) and allows people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress or emotional crises to connect with trained counsellors over the phone.Dr Naveen Kumar C, Professor of Psychiatry and Principal Investigator of the National Tele Mental Health Programme of India, said callers commonly report low mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances and stress related to exams, workplaces and relationships, a pattern seen across the country since the service began.The service currently functions through 53 Tele-MANAS centres across 36 states and Union territories, offering counselling in 20 languages depending on the language opted by states.The national capital Delhi recorded 5,738 calls between January and February 2026, handled by the Tele-MANAS centre at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS).“Most calls to Tele-MANAS relate to everyday emotional distress such as anxiety, sleep problems and relationship stress, while about 3–5% involve crises including suicidal thoughts,” said Dr Om Prakash, Professor of Psychiatry at IHBAS Delhi, adding that such calls are prioritised for immediate counselling and urgent referral. Nearly 80% of callers are aged 18–45.Counsellors are also authorised to conduct follow-up calls in situations requiring continued support, including cases involving suicidal thoughts, recent attempts, domestic or sexual violence, or when callers request further counselling.However, government data point to staff shortages at several centres, with many sanctioned posts lying vacant in some states, raising concerns about whether the system can keep pace with rising demand.Experts say the surge in calls reflects both increasing mental health stress and a gradual reduction in stigma around seeking psychological help.
