Major life events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ahmedabad plane crash, and growing personal or financial stress are taking a serious toll on people’s mental health. The rising number of calls to the ‘Tele Manas’ mental health helpline reflects this growing concern.
Run by the Hospital for Mental Health in Ahmedabad, the helpline has recorded an almost 100% increase in calls this year. “Unlike physical illnesses, mental health issues are often ignored because people fail to recognise them, leading to worsening conditions,” said Dr. Chirag Parmar, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Hospital for Mental Health.
Dr. Parmar shared that about 20% of patients suffering from diabetes or hypertension also experience mental health problems, which, if left untreated, can raise the risk of morbidity and mortality.
In Ahmedabad, the Tele Manas helpline received around 20 calls a day in 2023, which rose to 50–60 per day in 2024. “Now, in 2025, we are getting about 100 calls daily,” Dr. Parmar said. Although based in Ahmedabad, the helpline receives calls from across Gujarat, with a majority coming from urban areas.
He added that a large number of callers are young — between 18 and 30 years old — reporting issues like anxiety, depression, and hypertension. Many of them struggle with social, educational, financial, or career-related confusion. “Without proper guidance, such individuals may develop severe mental or physical conditions,” Dr. Parmar warned.
He further explained that traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Air India plane crash continue to cause lingering fear and anxiety among people, reflecting neurotic tendencies.
To strengthen mental health support, the state government plans to launch another 24×7 Tele Manas helpline in Rajkot soon. Additionally, mental health has now been added as the 12th package under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir treatment scheme.