Union Health Ministry marks World Mental Health Day as Tele-MANAS crosses 47.75 lakh calls

10 October 2026

The Union Health Ministry is observing World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2026 with the theme 'Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change'.
Tele-MANAS, the free round-the-clock counselling helpline on 14416, was launched on 10 October 2022.
As of October 2026 it had received about 47.75 lakh calls, that is 47,75,644 calls, through 53 operational cells spread across all 36 States and Union Territories.
In recorded caller profiles, women accounted for 43.78% and men for 54.18%, and people aged 18 to 45 made up 73.2% of callers.
The District Mental Health Programme has been sanctioned in 767 districts, and mental health services have been integrated into over 1.83 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
MANN Jaagriti, a community awareness initiative, is being run to reduce stigma and encourage early help-seeking.
These efforts sit within the National Mental Health Programme.