India's National Mental Health Helpline Experiences Unprecedented Call Volume
As conversations around stress, anxiety, and emotional distress become increasingly open in India, the nation's premier mental health support service is witnessing a remarkable surge in activity. The Tele-MANAS helpline, a cornerstone of the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), has managed an astounding over 34.34 lakh calls from individuals seeking psychological assistance since its inception in October 2022, according to official data presented in Parliament.
Regional Demand Highlights and Call Trends
The statistics not only underscore the scale of need but also pinpoint where it is most acute. In the initial two months of 2026, Uttar Pradesh emerged as the top contributor, recording more than 54,000 calls. This was followed by Tamil Nadu with approximately 22,700 calls, Karnataka with about 22,600, and Maharashtra with around 19,564 calls.
Parliamentary records further reveal a consistent upward trajectory in helpline usage since the program's launch. For instance, in Karnataka, the NIMHANS centre handled 17,072 calls in 2023, which increased to 23,442 in 2024 and soared to 57,601 in 2025. Similarly, Tamil Nadu reported over 78,000 calls in 2023 and more than 1.05 lakh in 2024 at a single centre alone, highlighting the escalating demand for mental health support across the country.
Service Overview and Common Concerns
Operated under the NTMHP, Tele-MANAS enables individuals grappling with anxiety, depression, stress, or emotional crises to connect with trained counsellors via telephone. Dr Naveen Kumar C, Professor of Psychiatry and Principal Investigator of the National Tele Mental Health Programme of India, noted that callers frequently report issues such as low mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and stress linked to exams, workplaces, and relationships. This pattern has been observed nationwide since the service commenced operations.
Currently, the helpline functions through 53 Tele-MANAS centres spread across 36 states and Union territories, offering counselling in 20 languages based on regional preferences. In the national capital, Delhi, the Tele-MANAS centre at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) managed 5,738 calls between January and February 2026.
Crisis Management and Demographic Insights
Dr Om Prakash, Professor of Psychiatry at IHBAS Delhi, elaborated on the nature of calls, stating that most involve everyday emotional distress like anxiety, sleep problems, and relationship stress. However, about 3–5% pertain to crises, including suicidal thoughts, which are prioritized for immediate counselling and urgent referral. Notably, nearly 80% of callers fall within the 18–45 age bracket, indicating a significant impact on the working-age population.
To ensure comprehensive care, counsellors are authorized to conduct follow-up calls in cases requiring ongoing support. This includes situations involving suicidal thoughts, recent attempts, domestic or sexual violence, or when callers explicitly request additional counselling sessions.
Challenges and Expert Analysis
Despite its success, government data point to staff shortages at several centres, with many sanctioned positions remaining vacant in some states. This raises concerns about the system's capacity to sustain the escalating demand effectively.
Experts attribute the surge in calls to a dual phenomenon: increasing mental health stress in contemporary society and a gradual reduction in stigma associated with seeking psychological help. As awareness grows and societal attitudes shift, more individuals are turning to professional support, underscoring the critical role of services like Tele-MANAS in India's healthcare landscape.
