New Delhi, December 13 (IANS). 53 Telemanas call centers have handled 29.82 lakh phone calls so far. Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said that the government is taking every possible step for women’s welfare, so that mental stress can be reduced among women.
He told the Lok Sabha that the tele-mental health program was launched on October 10, 2022, to improve people’s access to mental health counseling and care services across the country.
By 27 November 2025, 53 Telemanas call centers have been set up in 36 states/union territories of the country. TeleManas service is available in 20 languages, depending on the choice of each state. Savitri Thakur said that so far 29.82 lakh calls have been received on the helpline number.
To reduce the burden of mental illnesses, the Central Government is running the National Mental Health Program (NMHP), under which the District Mental Health Program (DMHP) is being implemented in 767 districts with assistance being provided to the State Governments under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Under DMHP, a range of facilities are available at Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs), including outpatient services, counselling, services to treat mental stress and ambulance facilities.
The Central Government has given top priority to the safety of women and girls. Under this, several helplines have been started which include Women Helpline-181, Child Helpline-1098 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112). Apart from this, the system of Zero FIR and e-FIR has also been implemented.
The Mental Health Care Act, 2017 also protects the rights of women and mentally ill persons and focuses on the care and rehabilitation of persons suffering from mental stress rather than punishing them.
Minister of State Savitri Thakur said the government has taken several measures to provide relief to women from violence, harassment and mental stress. Under this, integrated assistance is provided to women, which includes medical, legal advice, temporary shelter, police assistance and mental counselling.
Till September 30, 2025, 864 One Stop Centers (OSCs) are operational across the country and more than 12.67 lakh women have been provided assistance.
— IANS
Durgesh Bahadur/ABS
