On the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted the growing reach of India's mental health support services, with the national Tele-MANAS helpline recording more than 4.77 million calls since its launch in 2022. Operating through the toll-free number 14416, Tele-MANAS offers free, confidential mental health counseling around the clock. As of October 2026, the service had received 4,775,644 calls and expanded to 53 Tele-MANAS cells covering all 36 states and union territories.

The helpline addresses concerns such as emotional distress, anxiety, stress, and sleep-related difficulties. It also facilitates referrals to specialized mental health professionals and other healthcare services when needed. Its multilingual, telephone-based model aims to bridge access gaps, particularly in rural, remote, and underserved communities.…