New Delhi, Dec 1: The Tele MANAS toll-free helpline, introduced as part of India's national tele-mental health initiative, has recorded over 2.9 million calls since its inception in 2022, as reported to Parliament on Monday.

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, the Minister of State for Education, addressed the issue of student suicides, particularly within IITs, and highlighted various programs aimed at tackling mental health challenges in the country.

As part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme, 36 states and union territories have established 53 Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (MANAS) Cells by July 17.

“The helpline has successfully managed over 2.9 million calls,” the Minister stated.

Majumdar emphasized that the government is implementing a multi-faceted approach to combat youth suicides, offering psychological support to students, educators, and families to promote mental and emotional health and prevent suicide incidents.

He also mentioned the formation of a National Task Force (NTF) aimed at identifying the main causes of student suicides, reviewing current regulations, and proposing enhancements for student protection.

According to a 2025 report from the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of student suicides increased from 8,423 in 2013 to 13,892 in 2023, marking a 65% rise.

Students now represent 8.1% of all suicides, up from 6.2% a decade ago.

“Various factors contribute to suicides, including career-related issues, feelings of isolation, abuse, family conflicts, mental health disorders, substance addiction, financial difficulties, and chronic pain,” Majumdar noted, referencing the report.

He highlighted the Ministry of Education's initiative, Manodarpan, which encompasses a variety of activities aimed at providing psychological support to students, teachers, and families, including a national toll-free helpline staffed by trained counselors.

Additional initiatives include live interactive sessions titled ‘Sahyog’ and webinars named ‘Paricharcha,’ which are regularly conducted to raise awareness about the significance of mental health among all stakeholders, including students across all states and union territories.