The Tele-MANAS helpline, a crucial mental health support service launched by the Union government, has seen significant engagement from Odisha. Between December 2022 and July 2025, the state contributed a substantial number of calls to this round-the-clock service.
Call Volume Highlights from Odisha
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, which operates Tele-MANAS from Bengaluru, provided detailed statistics. The helpline received a total of 589,039 calls during this period. Odisha accounted for 230,117 of these calls, placing it third nationally.
Uttar Pradesh led with 439,164 calls, followed by Tamil Nadu with 387,190 calls. This information came to light through an RTI reply given by NIMHANS to activist and advocate Sujeet Swami from Kota.
For Odisha, these numbers translate to an average of 200 to 250 calls every single day. The consistent high volume underscores the growing need for mental health support in the state.
Education Emerges as Primary Stressor
Analysis of call data reveals a clear pattern. Education-related anxiety and depression represent one of the biggest stressors for callers. Approximately 5,000 calls each year specifically sought help for these academic pressures.
Relationship issues and financial stress followed as other significant concerns. The data shows that people aged 31 to 60 formed the majority of callers seeking consultations.
Local Infrastructure for Mental Health Support
Odisha has established dedicated resources for Tele-MANAS operations. The state maintains a primary Tele-MANAS cell at the Mental Health Institute of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
An additional cell operates under the district mental health programme at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. AIIMS Bhubaneswar serves as the mentoring institute for the Tele-MANAS programme across Odisha.
Importantly, counselling and psychological support through Tele-MANAS is available in the Odia language, ensuring accessibility for local residents.
Broader Context of Student Mental Health
The issue of education-related stress carries serious implications. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Assembly in March last year about student suicides. Since 2020, 72 students from both private and government institutions allegedly died by suicide.
Academic stress and relationship-related depression were identified as primary factors in these tragic cases. This official acknowledgment highlights the severity of the mental health crisis among students.
Expert Insights on Youth Mental Health
Dr. Anuradha Mohapatra, a Bhubaneswar-based mental health counsellor, provided valuable perspective. She noted that young people seek mental health counselling most frequently.
"They experience anxiety about their education and parental expectations," Dr. Mohapatra explained. "There exists a significant gap between what they study in schools and colleges and what their actual career demands require."
She identified additional contributing factors. "Distractions through social media, burnout, and excessive gadget usage have become far too prevalent," the counsellor added.
The Tele-MANAS initiative began in 2022 under the Union Health Ministry. Its creation responded directly to the mental health challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The service continues to provide essential support to thousands across India, with Odisha residents actively utilizing this vital resource.
