The Tele MANAS program provides mental health support to people in need. They received over 900 calls from students and parents on the day the Intermediate results were announced. Most of the calls were from parents worried about their child’s marks, and students feeling upset about getting lower marks than expected. The Tele-Manas team usually receives around 60 to 80 calls per day, and they try to provide counseling for each caller. If needed, they connect the caller to a psychiatrist.
The number of calls increased in the last three days from students asking about re-examinations and how to cope with lower marks. The counselors explained that getting low marks is normal and that it doesn’t have a significant impact on their lives.
The Tele Manas program launched a toll-free helpline number 14416 in October 2022, available in about 20 States, including Telangana. It uses an IVRS audio calling system with a timely auto-call back approach. A trained counselor attends to the caller first, then provides necessary care within their capabilities or refers the caller for specialist care.
Tele-Manas receives calls from people experiencing high levels of stress, and some have reported depression and suicidal tendencies. If the case is serious enough, the counselors would take the psychiatrist in a conference call to address the issue.
The Tele-Manas team encourages students to avoid stress and reminds them that they are just one call away.
