Mental Health Helpline saved 1916 lives in J&K: WHO report

Srinagar, Nov 29: J&K’s mental health helpline has emerged as a life-saving intervention, preventing suicides, and violence and providing critical support to those in distress. According to the latest rapid assessment report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organization (WHO), the helpline has successfully managed hundreds of self-harm and emergency cases, demonstrating its vital role in addressing mental health challenges.

The report reveals that Tele MANAS, managed by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir (IMHANS-K) handled 688 calls related to suicide ideation or attempts, directly intervening to save lives. Additionally, 351 calls involved self-harm concerns, and over 877 calls were about aggression or threats of harm to others. By offering immediate psychological support and crisis intervention, the helpline has averted at least 1916 tragic events in people’s lives at their most vulnerable moments.

Tele MANAS in J&K has received a substantially higher percentage of emergency calls than the national average. While 3.5 percent of calls nationwide are classified as emergencies, in J&K, the figure is 12.42 percent, underscoring the severity of mental health issues in the region.

The report highlights that 94 percent of callers in J&K directly contact Tele MANAS, a significantly higher rate than the national average of 71 percent. Most callers fall within the 18–45 age group, which constitutes 84.3 percent of the helpline’s users.

J&K’s Tele MANAS helpline has received significant calls addressing critical mental health concerns, including 2,500 related to anxiety, 2,430 about sadness, and 2,100 reporting palpitations. Additionally, the service has tackled issues such as substance use, aggression, and risks of harm to self or others, showcasing its ability to manage a wide spectrum of mental health challenges and provide timely, lifesaving support to those in need.

Prof Arshid Hussain, IMHANS-K said that the most significant achievement of Tele MANAS is its successful interventions that saved lives. “A person with depression, anxiety, mood disorders and others will seek help at a mental health facility at some point in their lives. But for self-harm, suicides and threats of harm to others, the moment is the most crucial point. If we can intervene at ‘that moment’, we will be making a huge difference in saving the life of someone,” he said.

In July 2023, J&K launched India’s first Tele MANAS chatbot, an artificial intelligence-driven tool designed to provide instant responses to mental health queries. The chatbot enables round-the-clock conversations and complements the work of human counsellors.

IMHANS-K at GMC Srinagar has been ranked among India’s top three centres for Tele MANAS services, highlighting its leadership in mental health care. Part of the National Tele Mental Health Program (NTMHP), Tele MANAS is expanding to include mobile app and video consultations, with IMHANS playing a key role in enhancing access to mental health support in J&K, as per a MoHFW release.

With only one operational unit in J&K, the growing demand for services underscores the need for expansion. Plans are underway to establish another cell, along with increasing the workforce, including counsellors and supervisors, the report states. The helpline’s current staffing model, where counsellors work 24-hour shifts followed by two days off, reflects the unique mobility challenges in J&K. However, staff members have requested additional training in critical areas such as substance use, suicide prevention, and therapeutic interventions to enhance their capacity to handle complex cases.

Senior psychiatrists regularly monitor and supervise the helpline, ensuring high-quality care. As awareness of mental health issues grows, so does the demand for services like Tele MANAS. The report anticipates an increase in call volumes in J&K, necessitating more counsellors during peak hours (6 pm to 11 pm) and better infrastructure to support the helpline operations.