Tele Manas: On the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2025, the Government of India rolled out major updates to the Tele MANAS mobile application, part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme. The new features aim to make mental health support more accessible, inclusive, and responsive, especially for underserved and linguistically diverse communities across the country.
More Languages, More Access
The upgraded app now supports 10 additional regional languages, in addition to English and Hindi. These include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi, significantly expanding its reach. The platform also introduced enhanced accessibility features for visually impaired users and other vulnerable groups, ensuring broader digital inclusion in mental health care.
Chatbot and Crisis Response Module
A key highlight of the update is the introduction of ‘Asmi’, a mental health chatbot designed to provide instant information, emotional support, and guidance on common mental health concerns. The app now also includes a dedicated emergency response module, enabling timely intervention during mental health crises. These additions are expected to boost user engagement and provide real-time assistance to those in urgent need.
Deepika Padukone Appointed Mental Health Ambassador
To further amplify awareness, actor and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone has been named the official Mental Health Ambassador for the Tele MANAS initiative. Her involvement is part of a broader campaign to destigmatise mental illness and encourage timely access to professional help. Officials hope her visibility will encourage more people—especially youth—to seek support without fear or shame.
Impact So Far
Since its launch, Tele MANAS has facilitated over 2.8 million calls in more than 20 languages, with nearly 4,000 individuals accessing services daily. The app allows users to connect with mental health professionals anytime, anywhere—bringing essential care to even the most remote corners of India. Interestingly, the near-equal gender ratio among users indicates growing awareness across all sections of society.
Government and Expert Perspectives
Union Health Minister [Name] emphasised that mental health is a critical component of national health priorities, and digital platforms like Tele MANAS are vital to achieving universal health coverage. Experts from NIMHANS and IIT Bangalore, who helped design and refine the app, highlighted its modular architecture, robust data privacy measures, and its capacity to evolve with user needs.
The app complements other ongoing government initiatives such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, the District Mental Health Programme, and school and workplace mental health campaigns.
Looking Ahead
The government is actively seeking feedback from users and mental health professionals to guide future updates. The overarching goal remains to build a resilient, inclusive, and technology-enabled mental health ecosystem that can address India’s vast treatment gap. With continuous improvements and stakeholder collaboration, Tele MANAS is poised to become a cornerstone of digital mental health care in India.