The launch of a 24/7 mental health aid service at the Centre

Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS), which was inaugurated on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, is a programme that provides mental health assistance and networking across state lines. 
On Monday, the federal government started the Tele-MANAS project to offer tele-mental health services across the nation around the clock.The Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS), which was inaugurated on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, offers 24x7 mental health assistance through the toll-free number 14416, according to a statement from the Union's health ministry.
The government established the National Telemental Health Programme (NTMHP) in the 2022–23 Union Budget in response to the mental health crisis and the urgent need to develop a digital mental health network that can survive the obstacles exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic. According to the statement, "Tele-MANAS seeks to deliver free tele-mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the whole nation, with a special focus on distant or underserved regions."
The initiative consists of a network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence, with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, serving as the initiative's nodal centre and the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB), providing technological support. Technical help will be provided by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bengaluru and the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC).
The health ministry said that a nationwide toll-free hotline number has been established, enabling customers to pick the language of their choice when requesting assistance. The calls would be routed to Tele-MANAS cells in each state and territory of the Union.
The ministry said, "This will not only assist in delivering acute mental health treatments but also enable continuity of care." Tele-MANAS will be linked with other services like the national tele-consultation service, e-Sanjeevani, the Ayushman Bharat digital mission, mental health experts, Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres, and emergency psychiatric facilities to provide specialised treatment. Eventually, this will include the whole range of mental health and sickness and unify all mental health care systems. NIMHANS has trained 900 Tele MANAS counsellors from the majority of states and territories, according to the release.