Following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, the Tele-MANAS center in Srinagar has achieved a significant milestone by introducing an AI-driven chat-bot facility. This initiative aims to provide 24/7 mental health counseling and support to individuals seeking assistance.
The National Tele-Mental Health Program (NTMHP), launched by the Government of India to bridge the gap in mental health services, includes a network of 23 tele-mental health centers of excellence. The Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar was selected as one of these centers, and the first-of-its-kind Tele-MANAS cell was established on November 4, 2022.
Before the Tele-MANAS initiative, seeking help for mental health issues was a challenge in Kashmir due to the attached stigma. This pioneering effort has played a vital role in improving access to mental health care services in the region and encouraging people to seek help for their mental health concerns.
Since its launch, the Tele-MANAS cell has received an overwhelming response, with more than 20,000 calls in the past nine months. The calls cover a wide range of issues, including sadness, anxiety, relationship problems, drug addiction, and self-harm. The center’s team of trained psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counselors is available round-the-clock through audio tele-networking to provide support and counseling to distressed individuals.
The newly introduced AI-driven chat-bot further enhances the Tele-MANAS services, allowing users to engage in automated chats. If necessary, users can connect with live counselors from the Tele-MANAS team via WhatsApp. Additionally, the chat-bot offers personalized exercises and advice tailored to each user’s specific mental health concerns, improving the quality of support provided.
Dr.QaziHaroon, State Program Manager Mental Health J&K, emphasized that the chat conversations with patients are confidential, ensuring their identities remain undisclosed. This approach encourages individuals to avail the benefits of this service from the comfort of their homes, addressing privacy concerns and promoting accessibility.
The success of the Tele-MANAS initiative has garnered international recognition, with the Tele-MANAS cell’s achievements featured in The Lancet, the world’s highest-impact medical journal. The article titled “Reducing the mental health treatment gap in Kashmir: scaling up to maximize the potential of telepsychiatry” highlights how this initiative has successfully addressed barriers to seeking mental health assistance.
With an estimated 1 crore mobile phone users and 10 lakh smartphone users in J&K, Tele MANAS is poised to reach a significant portion of the population, thereby reducing the treatment gap and enhancing mental health facilities in the region. To promote awareness about the services offered, the J&K National Health Mission is organizing sensitization workshops in educational institutions, encouraging individuals to proactively seek mental health support and care through Tele-MANAS.
