14 October 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Tele MANAS: Revolutionizing Mental Health Care in India

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2064548&reg=3&lang=1 )

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

Context

The National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), through Tele MANAS, provides nationwide, 24×7 mental health services via phone, making care accessible to millions. Recognized by WHO, it bridges the treatment gap, especially in underserved areas.

National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)

• Launched on October 10, 2022, by the Government of India, NTMHP significantly contributed to the nation’s mental healthcare system.
• Tele MANAS, a toll-free helpline (14416), offers accessible mental health services including counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatric consultations, and urgent care across the country.

Tele MANAS Impact

• Tele MANAS made mental healthcare more accessible, especially in remote areas.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Tele MANAS as an effective model for mental healthcare.
• WHO’s review acknowledged Tele MANAS’s potential to improve mental health outcomes in India, emphasising its integration with primary healthcare centres.

Need for Tele MANAS

• Mental health disorders are a significant issue in India, with a 70-92% treatment gap, affecting millions.
• Despite the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, over 80% of people with mental health disorders do not seek help.
• Tele MANAS was introduced to bridge this gap by providing essential mental healthcare services via phone, addressing both specialised and general mental health issues.

Aim and Objectives

• The aim is to provide universal access to affordable and quality mental healthcare through a 24×7 service.
• Key objectives include:
  • Expanding access to mental health services nationwide.
  • Building an integrated mental health network that offers a range of interventions.
  • Prioritising vulnerable populations to ensure no one is left without care.

Key Achievements

• Tele MANAS has successfully handled over 14.7 lakh calls.
• Established 52 Tele MANAS Cells, collaborated with 23 Mentoring Institutes, and created 5 Regional Coordinating Centers.

Conclusion

• The NTMHP, through Tele MANAS, has revolutionised mental healthcare access in India, breaking barriers of distance and cost.
• The program continues to evolve, with a commitment to making mental health care a fundamental right for all.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) in addressing India’s mental health crisis. How can digital health platforms like Tele MANAS improve access to mental healthcare in remote and underserved regions? (150 Words /10 marks)