Tele MANAS integrated with Namma 112: Bengaluru gets faster mental health support through emergency network

Government-run Tele MANAS helpline, operating from NIMHANS, is now linked with Bengaluru Police’s 112 system to ensure quick response to mental health emergencies.

Bengaluru has taken a major step towards strengthening mental health emergency response with the integration of Tele MANAS, a Government of India initiative run from NIMHANS, with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) Namma 112 of the Bengaluru City Police.

With this integration, calls related to mental health distress can now move seamlessly between the city’s emergency number and the specialised mental health helpline. The move is aimed at ensuring timely and coordinated support for individuals facing psychiatric emergencies, including suicide risk.

The integration builds on earlier efforts made in 2025, when Tele MANAS was linked with private stakeholders such as Ola and Uber. In 2026, Bengaluru City Police have expanded this approach, with plans to connect more private and government helplines to Namma 112, positioning it as a single-point emergency response system for the city.

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Under the new arrangement, psychiatric emergencies identified by Tele MANAS can be immediately handled in coordination with Namma 112. At the same time, mental health-related distress calls received by Namma 112 will be directly transferred to Tele MANAS (14416), where trained professionals provide specialised care and guidance.

This two-way call transfer mechanism ensures that people in crisis are not delayed or redirected multiple times while seeking help. The focus is on quick identification, appropriate response, and professional mental health intervention during critical situations.

According to an official communication from the Office of the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, the collaboration is designed to strengthen mental health services during emergencies and provide structured support to those experiencing psychological distress. The initiative is expected to significantly improve crisis response outcomes by combining police emergency systems with expert mental health care.