India, Sept. 19 -- 'The helpline is in response to the rising mental health problems in a pandemic'.

New Delhi: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot launched on 7 September the helpline "KIRAN" in collaboration with state-run telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The toll-free number (1800-599-0019) was set up to enable people to reach out for psychological support. The helpline provides 13 language options: Hindi, Assamese, Tamil, Marathi, Odia, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, Bengali, Urdu and English.

Probodh Seth, joint secretary at DEPwD, said that it is in response to the rising mental health problems in a pandemic. A study conducted in June in Italy titled "Impact of th...