Tough season? Tele-MANAS 14416 is free and open 24×7

A dry, hot season can bring a lot of worry about water, crops, income and family. If stress, anxiety or trouble sleeping is getting too much, you do not have to handle it alone.

Tele-MANAS: 14416. The Health Ministry's Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is meant for emotional distress, anxiety, stress and sleep-related concerns. Since October 2024 there is also a Tele-MANAS app, with video consultation, in English, Hindi and 10 regional languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

Built to reach everyone. According to the Press Information Bureau, Tele-MANAS has 53 cells running across 36 States and Union Territories and offers services in 20 languages. By October 2026 it had handled 47,75,644 calls since its launch on 10 October 2022.

Heat and mental health. The Health Ministry's heat advisory lists people with mental illness among the groups at higher risk during a heatwave. The advisory also asks that older or sick people living alone be checked on every day. If someone you know lives with a mental illness, check on them often in hot weather.

When to call. Feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed, having trouble sleeping, or worried about someone else.

Join the El Niño help room on soshyal.com to ask questions and share what you see in your area.