GMC Srinagar's Tele-psychiatry program ranks among top 3 in India

Srinagar, Oct 20: The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has been ranked among the top three centers in India for providing Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking across States) services, a major milestone for J&K.

This recognition comes as the Government of India expands Tele MANAS, a crucial component of the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), to include mobile app and video consultations.

The recognition was announced on October 10, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, as part of a broader push to make mental health services more accessible across the country. GMC Srinagar’s IMHANS joins top-ranked centers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Center has been at the forefront in addressing mental health challenges in J&K, especially the effects of conflict, natural disasters, substance abuse and COVID19.

Prior to tele-consultations, only about 10 percent of individuals with mental illness were accessing services, despite the presence of trained mental health professionals, according to a 2017 mental health survey by GMC Srinagar. The introduction of telepsychiatry has been a game changer, allowing many more people to seek help.

Since its inception, according to official statistics, the Tele MANAS center at GMC Srinagar has received over 60,000 calls, making it one of the highest-performing centers in India. Of these, around 2,000 calls were crisis interventions, helping individuals with self-harming thoughts. The strong response highlights both the demand for mental health services in the region and the growing acceptance of telepsychiatry as a viable solution.

Tele MANAS was launched in October 2022 with the aim to bridge the gap in mental health services in India. With mental health issues on the rise, exacerbated by the pandemic, the need for timely and accessible care was acknowledged and steps were taken to address it. The addition of mobile app and video consultation services to the existing audio consultations enhances Tele MANAS’ capabilities, enabling mental health professionals to conduct thorough assessments and provide more personalized care, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The Tele MANAS center at GMC Srinagar operates a three-tier system designed to provide comprehensive mental health care. The first line of contact is a team of trained counselors who handle a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and stress related to exams. These counselors, all psychologists, typically engage in 30-minute sessions, though calls may extend if necessary.

If the counselor determines that the caller requires psychiatric advice, the call is transferred to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist on standby. This tiered approach ensures that individuals receive the appropriate level of care based on their specific needs. The center also prioritizes providing services in local languages like Kashmiri and Urdu, making mental health care more accessible to the region’s diverse population.

The mobile app offers users self-care tips, stress management tools, and mindfulness exercises, along with free, confidential 24/7 counseling services. These features aim to empower individuals to manage stress and recognize early signs of mental distress. The video consultation feature allows for more in-depth interaction, enabling professionals to conduct mental state examinations and assess the patient’s condition visually, adding a layer of depth to audio consultations.

India faces a staggering mental health treatment gap, with 83 percent of individuals in need of care unable to access services. The Global Burden of Disease Study (1990–2017) estimates that 197.3 million people in India are affected by mental health disorders. In J&K, the need is even more pronounced, with studies showing a depression prevalence rate of 7 percent, double the national average.