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Assam's Mental Health Sees Surge: OPDs & Helplines Up
10 Oct
Summary
- Psychiatry outpatient visits increased significantly in Assam.
- Tele-MANAS helpline calls are nearing a doubling this financial year.
- Post-pandemic awareness and teleconsultation improved mental healthcare access.
Assam has experienced a notable increase in the demand for mental healthcare services. Psychiatry outpatient department visits rose from 78,136 in 2024-25 to 89,149 in 2025-26. Concurrently, calls to the Tele-MANAS helpline are projected to nearly double in the current financial year compared to the previous one, reflecting heightened awareness and a lessening of stigma around mental health issues.
Experts attribute this positive trend to improved public awareness, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. Initiatives like the Monon program, which supported individuals during the pandemic, and the widespread adoption of teleconsultation through Tele-MANAS have played a crucial role. Tele-MANAS offers counselling and psychiatric consultations via its helpline, making mental health support more accessible by reducing travel burdens and costs for patients.