J&K becomes first UT to launch video call mental health consultations

Srinagar, Jan 17: Jammu and Kashmir has become the first Union Territory in India to launch online video call consultations for mental health patients under the Tele MANAS initiative at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Srinagar.
Officials said the innovative step will ensure accessible, affordable and timely mental health care, leveraging technology to address the need for psychological support across the region.
Dr. Mohd Abrar, Senior Consultant (Tele MANAS), IMHANS, Srinagar, said they have started the video call facility in the already established Tele MANAS facility.
“We have induced the video facility and patients can speak to psychiatrists in video mode so that they can treat and diagnose patients properly,” he said.
The video call facility has been launched in three states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir. The consultant said J&K is the first Union Territory to offer this service, bringing much-needed relief to mental health patients.
“Now patients from far and cut off places and hard to reach places like Karnah, Tangdar, Uri, Jammu areas can take benefit of the video call facility,” he said.
Dr. Abrar stated that the initiative aims to provide accessibility and affordability while also helping to eliminate the stigma associated with visiting mental hospitals.
The Tele-MANAS Centre has begun offering video consultations, operating through a three-tier system. Individuals seeking mental health support can connect with experts by dialing the toll-free number 14416 and requesting a video consultation.
With the launch of this new initiative, the helpline has started receiving 15-20 video calls daily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and people are actively utilizing this facility.
“At the center we have kept both male and female psychiatrists and counsellors to attend the calls of patients,” he said.
The video consultations aim to provide comprehensive mental health services to underserved communities addressing a long-overlooked need in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, the Government of India launched the National Tele-Mental Health Program (NTMHP), which besides many other activities included setting up a network of tele-mental health centres of excellence to bridge the gap in mental health and address the needs of patients.
IMHANS Tele-MANAS center Srinagar was established on Nov 04, 2022, was one of the centers of excellence chosen for the purpose.
Dr. Abrar said since the launch of Tele-MANAS, they have received more than 75,000 audio calls related to sadness, anxiety, relationship issues, drug addiction and self-harm.
Officials said the high volume of audio calls demonstrates the significant demand for mental health services and public acceptance of Tele-MANAS.
“Since the start of the free call facility, we have been able to prevent suicides, crisis and other mental health issues. People keep calling day and night,” he said.
The Tele MANAS center has trained psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and counselors available through the 24/7 networking for patients in distress, in case of need for referral, the patients are guided to locally available government-run mental health centers.