The Indian telemedicine tool, TeleMANAS enhances access to quality mental health care, benefiting vulnerable populations.
- 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
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
Go to source).
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.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✔ ✔Trusted Source
National Tele Mental Health Program of India - Aim & Objectives
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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✔ ✔Trusted SourceIndia 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
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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:
- 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)
- National Tele Mental Health Program of India - Aim & Objectives - (https://telemanas.mohfw.gov.in/#/aim&objectives)
- 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