An analysis of the TeleManas cumulative report from October 2022 to March 2025 reveals a steady increase in mental health concerns.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
One evening, a 20-year-old college student from Jangaon dialed 14416, the national mental health helpline, TeleManas, his voice weighed down by despair. For months, he had battled sadness, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. A month earlier, he had stepped in front of a moving vehicle but pulled back at the last moment, gripped by fear. The mounting pressure of exam stress had only worsened his state.
“We patiently listened to him, guiding him through deep breathing exercises and introducing coping mechanisms such as journaling, exercise, meditation and maintaining sleep hygiene. With no immediate family around, he was encouraged to seek professional help. Two days later, he called back, reporting that he had visited a psychiatrist and started medication,” said the psychiatrist who spoke to the student on the call.
Such cases underscore the role played by the TeleManas helpline in addressing mental health issues in Telangana. An analysis of the TeleManas cumulative report from October 2022 to March 2025 reveals a steady increase in mental health concerns. The data, categorised into psychological issues, stress-related disorders, anxiety problems, sleep disturbances, mood-related sadness, relationship conflicts, suicidal ideation and medical complaints, highlights the growing demand for mental health interventions.
The last three months of 2022 saw 621 instances of psychological issues, 218 stress-related concerns, and 161 sleep disturbances. Anxiety problems and mood-related sadness accounted for 86 and 47 cases, respectively. Suicidal ideation was documented in 42 cases, while medical-related concerns stood at 75.
By 2023, there was a sharp rise in cases, with stress-related concerns surging to 5,032 and sleep disturbances escalating to 5,750. Psychological issues spiked to 4,847 while anxiety-related complaints more than doubled, reaching 1,906. Suicidal ideation cases saw a troubling rise to 323 and medical concerns skyrocketed to 10,356.
The trend continued in 2024 with psychological issues increasing to 7,466, stress-related cases rising to 9,657, and anxiety problems growing to 2,892. Sleep disturbances reached 7,091 while mood-related sadness peaked at 5,935. Medical issues maintained an alarming upward trend, exceeding 12,880 cases.
In the first three months of 2025 alone, calls related to psychological issues were already at 1,288, stress-related complaints stood at 1,464 and anxiety problems reached 373. Sleep disturbances and mood-related sadness remained significant concerns, with 1,565 and 988 cases reported, respectively. Suicidal ideation cases stood at 102, while medical-related complaints remained high at 2,182.
“With the rising burden of mental health disorders, helplines like TeleManas remain a crucial support system for those in distress, providing timely intervention and guidance to those in need,” said a senior health official.
Published – March 31, 2025 05:17 am IST
