The Government of India is strengthening mental healthcare services through the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), with a focus on expanding access across all levels, including support for postpartum mothers.
Under the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), services have been sanctioned in 767 districts, offering outpatient care, counselling, psycho-social interventions, medicines, outreach services, and ambulance support at CHC and PHC levels. Additionally, 10-bed in-patient facilities are available at the district level.
To enhance primary care, over 1.83 lakh health centres have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandir, where mental health services are now part of comprehensive care. The government has also issued training manuals for managing mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.
At the tertiary level, 25 Centres of Excellence have been approved to boost postgraduate training and treatment capacity, while 19 government institutions have been supported to strengthen 47 PG departments in mental health specialties.
While data on postpartum depression is not centrally maintained, a 2016 survey by National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences estimated the prevalence of depressive disorders among adult women at 5.72%. Frontline workers such as ANMs and ASHAs conduct postnatal visits and screen mothers for mental health concerns, referring cases under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.
India currently has 47 government-run mental hospitals, including key institutions like NIMHANS Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (Assam), and the Central Institute of Psychiatry (Ranchi). Mental health services are also available across all AIIMS.
Further expanding access, the government launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme in October 2022. As of March 2026, 53 Tele-MANAS cells are operational across 36 states and UTs, handling over 34.34 lakh calls.
The Tele-MANAS mobile application, launched on World Mental Health Day 2024, now offers both audio and video consultation services, improving access to mental health support nationwide.
The information was shared by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur in the Rajya Sabha.