MoHFW, Ministry of Defence sign MoU to set up dedicated Tele MANAS cell for armed forces

 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) collaborated to set up a special cell of Tele MANAS, the National Telemental Health Helpline of MoHFW, as a pilot project for two years at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune.

The MoU was signed by Ms. Aradhna Patnaik, AS & MD of MoHFW, and Lt General Daljit Singh, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services.

Tele MANAS is the digital extension of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), offering comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive 24/7 tele-mental health services. The initiative provides toll-free number, 14416, in each State and Union Territory (UT) for easy access to mental health support.

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The special Tele-MANAS Cell was inaugurated on 1st December 2023, at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Currently, 51 operational Tele MANAS cells are functioning across all 36 States and UTs, offering services in 20 different languages. Since its launch in October 2022, Tele MANAS has received over 10 lakh calls and is managing more than 3,500 calls daily.

 

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The data indicate a significant demand for mental health services and underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues comprehensively and inclusively, particularly in specialized contexts like the Armed Forces.

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