Guwahati: Assam has recorded a steady rise in demand for mental healthcare, with psychiatry outpatient visits increasing from 78,136 in 2024-25 to 89,149 in 2025-26. Calls to the Tele-MANAS helpline are on course to nearly double this financial year compared with 2024-25, pointing to growing awareness and a gradual breakdown of the stigma surrounding mental illness as World Mental Health Day was observed on Saturday.“There is a gradual and steady increase in the footfall of patients in psychiatry OPDs in Assam. Similarly, the number of calls received through the Tele-MANAS helpline, 14416, has increased,” said Prakash Barman, a consultant with the National Mental Health Programme under NHM Assam.He said mental health issues continued to be affected by stigma, discrimination, cultural beliefs and superstition. “In such a context, this increase in OPD footfall and calls to the Tele-MANAS helpline is significant,” Barman said.Shyamanta Das, professor and head of the department of psychiatry at Dhubri Medical College and Hospital, said more people had started seeking treatment after the Covid-19 pandemic as awareness of mental health issues improved.“The number of patients seeking treatment has increased, alongside a rise in public awareness. As more people become aware of mental health issues and the importance of seeking professional help, they are increasingly coming forward for treatment,” he said.Das was part of the Monon programme launched after the pandemic to support around 60,000 Covid-positive and quarantined people. “The stressful conditions during the Covid pandemic, particularly for those placed under quarantine, had a negative impact on their mental health but it made them resilient too,” he said.He added that teleconsultation had helped reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support, while also cutting patients’ travel time and expenses.Doctors said mental health awareness campaigns, improved services under the district mental health programme and teleconsultation through Tele-MANAS had helped improve access to care and encourage people to seek treatment.Tele-MANAS provides mental health counselling and audio-video consultations with psychiatrists through its helpline.
