In early 2025, a 38-year-old unemployed man from Hyderabad discovered himself trapped in a cycle of worry, sleepless nights, and chronic ideas of self-harm. Just a few months earlier, he had been identified with Bell’s palsy, a situation marked by sudden weak point or paralysis on one facet of the face.

Whereas the bodily signs have been being handled, his psychological well being started to unravel. Panic episodes, intrusive ideas, and a rising sense of hopelessness slowly took maintain, affecting his capability to operate daily. Then he turned to 14416, the toll-free helpline of the Tele-Psychological Well being Help and Networking Throughout States (Tele-MANAS) initiative.

The decision was transferred to a psychiatrist. Over the subsequent couple of minutes, he was inspired to talk freely and reassured about confidentiality. He was assessed for suicidal ideation and educated concerning the hyperlink between bodily and psychological well being. “He agreed to hunt additional care on the District Hospital. Just a few days later, throughout a follow-up session, he confirmed that he was already feeling higher,” mentioned a counsellor.

However his case is only one amongst hundreds. Since its launch in October 2022, Tele-MANAS helpline in Telangana has obtained over 1.38 lakh calls from individuals throughout the State experiencing psychological well being considerations, from nervousness and despair to substance use, sleep disturbances, and suicidal ideation. The round the clock name centre on the Institute of Psychological Well being (IMH), Erragadda, is staffed by a group comprising two psychiatrists, one scientific psychologist, 14 skilled counsellors, two technical coordinators, and two help workers.

Every day, the centre fields between 150 to 200 calls, connecting people to certified psychological well being professionals who present speedy help and refer severe circumstances to native District Psychological Well being Programme (DMHP) clinics or authorities hospitals. The intervention is free, confidential, and accessible to anybody with a telephone.

The helpline’s influence is obvious throughout all 33 districts. Kamareddy district recorded the best variety of calls at 19,366, adopted by Hyderabad (9,904), Hanamkonda (8,086), Siddipet (7,911), and Vikarabad (7,067).

“Most typical callers are younger adults, unemployed people, and folks coping with sudden medical or monetary stressors. Callers typically report feeling remoted or unable to talk overtly with relations, which is the place the anonymity and availability of the helpline make a important distinction,” mentioned a Tele-MANAS official.