Chandigarh, Sept. 10 -- In the first eight months of 2025, the Tele MANAS helpline at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, received 4,696 calls from people seeking mental health support - an 806% rise from 518 calls in 2023, the first year of the helpline's launch, and 4,134 calls in 2024.

Of these, 70 callers reported suicidal thoughts, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support as the country prepares to observe World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.

Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) is a national initiative launched in 2022 by the Union ministry of health and family welfare to provide round-the-clock mental health support via its toll-free numbers, 14416 a...