TeleMANAS - India's First Step Towards Inclusive Mental Health Care

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Highlights:

• TeleMANAS, a Government of India initiative, provides universal access to quality mental health care through 24X7 tele-mental health services
• With over 2 lakh calls received since its launch, it connects callers to trained counselors and specialist care
• It progresses to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and promote equitable mental health care

Mental health is an essential aspect of public welfare that significantly affects various aspects of individuals' lives and the overall well-being of communities and societies. Growing social inequalities, social stigma, discrimination, and violence continues to act as a barrier for inclusive mental health care.

India constitutes approximately 18% of the global population and plays a significant role in the worldwide burden of mental disorders. Mental disorders are ranked as the second leading cause of death (1^✔).

‘The tele-mental health programme, TeleMANAS, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving over 2,00,000 calls from individuals across India since its launch in October 2022. #MentalHealthAwareness #EquitableMentalHealthCare’

Recent national studies have brought attention to the fact that 15% of the adult population in India is grappling with mental health issues requiring intervention. Furthermore, there exists a substantial treatment gap of 70-92% for various mental disorders, signifying the need for substantial assistance and support for mental health and overall well-being.

Role of Telemedicine in Public Health

The Government of India has adopted telemedicine through platforms like eSanjeevani and the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). This approach reduces the cost and effort for rural patients who no longer need to travel long distances for consultations and treatment.

By incorporating telemedicine into the Indian health system, inequity and barriers to access have been minimized, as evidenced by the substantial number of daily consultations on eSanjeevani. Recognizing the potential of digital tools in enhancing the efficiency and outcomes of healthcare, the National Tele Mental Health Programme, TeleMANAS was introduced in the Union Budget 2022.

TeleMANAS

TeleMANAS -Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across the States is a Government of India initiative to provide universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable, and quality mental health care through 24X7 tele-mental health services as a digital component of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).

It establishes a full-fledged mental health-service network that, in addition to counseling, offers integrated medical, and psychological interventions such as video consultations with mental health specialists, e-prescriptions, follow-up services, and connections to in-person services.

It also provides assistance to vulnerable communities and hard-to-reach populations (2^✔).

TeleManas Receives More Than 2 Lakh Calls

The TeleMANAS toll free service receives more than 2 lakh calls since its launch during October 2022. More than 1,900 counsellors have been trained and they are running the first line services. Most common concerns encountered are sadness of mood, sleep disturbance, stress, and anxiety, the statement said. Callers who required specialist care are being successfully linked to appropriate services such as District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) and other nearby health care facilities (3^✔).

The recognition of the country's mental health problem, is an innovative attempt to allow people to seek support for their mental health difficulties while keeping their anonymity has definitely paved the way to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

References:

1. Global, regional, and national burden of 12 mental disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 - (https:www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00395-3/fulltext)
2. National Tele Mental Health Program of India - Aim & Objectives - (https:telemanas.mohfw.gov.in/#/aim&objectives)
3. India crosses a significant milestone for The National Tele Mental Health Programme of India: Over 200,000 calls received on the Tele-MANAS Helpline since its launch in October 2022 - (https:www.ibef.org/news/india-crosses-a-significant-milestone-for-the-national-tele-mental-health-programme-of-india-over-200-000-calls-received-on-the-tele-manas-helpline-since-its-launch-in-october-2022)

Source: Medindia

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