Ranchi: For 35-year-old Archana (name changed), who had been undergoing treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) at the Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (Rinpas), relocating to Patna a year ago disrupted her continuity of care. After experiencing a relapse four months ago, she worried about resuming regular consultations because traveling to Ranchi was financially and logistically unviable. The tele-mental health video-conferencing facility at Rinpas allowed her to resume therapy online, leading to significant improvement in her condition.
Similarly, Rahul (name changed), who is being treated at Rinpas for a personality disorder requiring long-term support, faced a comparable challenge after moving to Bengaluru for work. He now continues his sessions online through the same service.
The tele-mental health service, inaugurated in September 2025, has catered to approximately 60 individuals so far. The facility operates under the hospital's tele-mental health centre. The helpline number (14499) and toll-free number (1800-345-4060) are available from 10 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.
Dr Rahul Sharma, who manages the helpline, stated that the centre receives around 25 to 30 calls every month. Calls come from rural and urban areas across Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and other states. He added that calls commonly relate to anxiety-related conditions, mood disorders, behavioural problems, substance abuse, and personality disorders. Some queries are linked to stress, academic difficulties, and excessive screen time, often from students or parents who learned about the service through school sensitisation, orientation, or other outreach programmes.
Dr Amool Ranjan, head of the department of clinical psychology at Rinpas, emphasised that the tele-mental health helpline, especially the video-conferencing feature, has been crucial for patients who cannot travel. This facility supports individuals who cannot afford to visit Rinpas regularly for psychological help. It also helps those who previously sought counselling at Rinpas but moved to other cities and wish to continue their treatment.
Dr Ranjan further explained that the helpline serves both existing and new clients. Regular patients can continue their counselling online through the helpline number. New patients also reach out via the helpline and, based on their requirements, are either provided online counselling or referred to the Rinpas OPD for further assistance.
In addition to mental health support, the helpline answers queries regarding admission and discharge facilities, the old-age pension scheme, disability certification, and academic courses or internships at Rinpas.
