Daily Current Affairs : 14-October-2024

Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) is an innovative tele-mental health initiative launched by the Government of India on October 10, 2022. This program aims to provide accessible and effective mental health support to millions of people across the country, addressing the growing mental health crisis.

The Need for Tele MANAS

India is facing a significant mental health challenge, which has worsened in recent years. The need for Tele MANAS arises from the following key issues:

  • Mental Health Crisis: Around 15% of India’s adult population needs mental health intervention. Unfortunately, there is a massive treatment gap, with 70-92% of those needing care not receiving it.
  • High Suicide Rates: More than 1 lakh people die by suicide annually in India, highlighting the urgency of mental health intervention.
  • Mental Disorders: Mental disorders have become the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) in the country, further stressing the need for better mental health services.
  • Untapped Healthcare Access: Despite the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 making mental health care a statutory right, more than 80% of individuals with mental health issues do not seek help.

Key Features of Tele MANAS

Tele MANAS has several unique features that make it an accessible and comprehensive mental health service:

  • 24/7 Toll-Free Helpline: It offers round-the-clock support, including phone-based counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatric consultations, and referral services.
  • Accessibility: The initiative is designed to reach both rural and urban populations, making mental health services available to everyone, regardless of location.
  • Two-Tier System: The service has a two-tier structure:
    • Tier 1: Provides initial counselling and referral services.
    • Tier 2: Offers specialist consultations, follow-up care, and e-prescriptions.
  • Integrated Care: Tele MANAS ensures seamless connections to in-person services and other mental health interventions for comprehensive care.

Recognition and Impact

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Tele MANAS as an effective and innovative model for large-scale mental health care delivery. This endorsement highlights the program’s potential to transform mental health care in India and provide much-needed support to those in distress.

Important Points:

Tele MANAS Initiative: Launched by the Government of India on October 10, 2022, under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP).

Need for Tele MANAS:

  • 15% of India’s adult population requires mental health intervention.
  • 70-92% of people needing mental health care do not receive treatment.
  • Over 1 lakh suicides annually in India.
  • Mental disorders are the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs).
  • Over 80% of individuals with mental health issues do not seek help despite legal rights under the Mental Healthcare Act (2017).

Key Features of Tele MANAS:

  • 24/7 Toll-Free Helpline: Offers phone-based counselling, psychotherapy, psychiatric consultations, and referrals.
  • Accessibility: Services are available to both rural and urban populations.
  • Two-Tier System:
    • Tier 1: Initial counselling and referral services.
    • Tier 2: Specialist consultations, follow-up care, and e-prescriptions.
  • Integrated Care: Ensures smooth connections to in-person services and other mental health support systems.

Global Recognition:

  • Tele MANAS has been praised by the WHO as an effective and innovative model for large-scale mental health care delivery in India.

Impact:

  • Tele MANAS is designed to bridge the treatment gap, offer accessible care, and reduce the stigma around mental health by providing support across diverse communities.

Why In News

Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) is a tele-mental health initiative launched by the Government of India on October 10, 2022, under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP). This pioneering initiative aims to provide accessible and comprehensive mental health support to individuals across the country, leveraging technology to bridge the gap between mental health needs and available services.

MCQs about Tele MANAS

  1. When was the Tele MANAS initiative launched by the Government of India?
    A. October 10, 2021
    B. October 10, 2022
    C. January 1, 2023
    D. December 25, 2022
    Correct Answer: B. October 10, 2022
    Explanation: The Tele MANAS initiative was launched on October 10, 2022, under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) to provide mental health services across India.
  2. Which of the following is a key feature of the Tele MANAS initiative?
    A. Only in-person mental health services
    B. A 24/7 toll-free helpline for mental health support
    C. Only for urban populations
    D. Limited to physical consultations
    Correct Answer: B. A 24/7 toll-free helpline for mental health support
    Explanation: Tele MANAS offers a 24/7 toll-free helpline providing services such as phone-based counselling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric consultations.
  3. What is the structure of the Tele MANAS service?
    A. One-tier system with only specialist consultations
    B. Two-tier system with initial counselling and specialist consultations
    C. Only referral services with no follow-up care
    D. One-tier system with only follow-up care
    Correct Answer: B. Two-tier system with initial counselling and specialist consultations
    Explanation: Tele MANAS follows a two-tier system: **Tier 1** provides initial counselling and referrals, while **Tier 2** offers specialist consultations, follow-up care, and e-prescriptions.

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