MoU signed between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Defence for setting up tele manas cell dedicated to armed forces
MoU signed between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Defence for setting up tele manas cell dedicated to armed forces
Special Tele Manas Cell to function as a dedicated mental health support helpline for all armed forces beneficiaries in the country
The Tele-Manas helpline has received over 10 lakh calls since its launch in October 2022 and has received an average of 3,500 calls per day.
There are 51 tele manas cells operating in all states and union territories.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Defence to collaborate between the two ministries in managing the National Telemental Health Helpline of MoHFW, a special cell of Telemans as a pilot project for two years as a pilot project at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. The MoU was signed by Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, ASO MD, MoHFW and Lt. Gen. Daljit Singh, Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services.
The special tele-manas cell was inaugurated by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM at The Armed Forces Medical College, Pune on December 1, 2023 in the presence of senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Acknowledging the unique pressure faced by the Indian Army
Acknowledging the unique pressure faced by the Indian Army, the need for tele-mental health services in the armed forces has become clear. Management environments, cultural challenges, and specific pressures related to regional conflicts require a specialized approach to mental health services in the armed forces. The signing of the MoU will address the mental health and well-being of armed forces personnel and their families and provide direct special care to the beneficiaries of the armed forces, which will ensure that their unique mental health needs can be addressed promptly and effectively.
Mental health counselling for armed forces personnel and now armed forces personnel
Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Daljit Singh, Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services said that there has been a long-standing need for mental health counselling for armed forces personnel and now armed forces personnel and their families with dedicated tele manas cells will get critical mental health support round the clock to address their mental health issues.
TeleMans is the digital extension of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP
TeleMans is the digital extension of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), which provides comprehensive, integrated and inclusive 24/7 tele-mental health services. In order to make mental health assistance easily available, a toll-free number, 14416, is being provided in every State and Union Territory (UT).
At present, there are 51 functional tele manas cells operating in all the 36 states and union territories, serving in 20 different languages. Since its launch in October 2022, Tele Manas has received over 10 lakh calls and has been managing over 3,500 calls daily. This data points to a significant demand for mental health services and emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health issues comprehensively and holistically, especially independents such as the armed forces.
K.K. Tripathy, Economic Advisor Dr. Air Marshal Sadhana Saxena Nair, VSM, Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces
K.K. Tripathy, Economic Advisor Dr. Air Marshal Sadhana Saxena Nair, VSM, Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces); Major General Dharmesh, Additional Director General of The Armed Forces Medical Services (Medical Research, Health and Training); The event was attended by VSM Colonel Shubhadeep Ghosh, Director of Armed Forces Medical Services (Health) and senior officials of both the ministries. Read more
