Haryana sharpens suicide-prevention response; counselling, early distress detection and 24x7 Tele-MANAS support in focus*

Chandigarh, September 15 - Haryana has sharpened its suicide-prevention response with a focus on early identification of emotional distress, counselling, timely professional intervention and round-the-clock mental-health support, as the state observed World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra, said.

Dr. Misra said suicide prevention cannot be confined to the treatment of mental illness and requires a wider public-health approach in which families, educational institutions, workplaces, healthcare providers and communities recognise distress early and help people access appropriate support.

“Timely support can make a critical difference. Families, educational institutions, workplaces, healthcare providers and communities all have a role in recognising emotional distress and helping a person reach appropriate professional support,” she said.

The state’s observance follows this year’s theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, which seeks to replace silence, stigma and misconceptions with openness, compassion, understanding and timely help-seeking.

Haryana’s District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) now operates in every district, offering assessment, counselling, treatment, and referrals to specialist services as needed.

For immediate support, Tele-MANAS (14416 and 1-800-891-4416) is available 24/7. Trained counsellors and mental health professionals assist with stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, family and personal challenges, and suicidal thoughts, and connect callers to additional care when necessary.

Dr. Misra informed that Tele-MANAS have received a cumulative 19,773 calls since its inception on 10th October 2022; 92.4% of them were initiated directly by beneficiaries, a strong signal of public awareness and trust in the helpline. Most callers, 82%, fall between 18 and 45, underscoring how squarely this crisis sits among the young and the working-age population. Sadness and depression-related concerns account for over a third of all calls, followed by stress linked to exams, work and relationships. Anxiety, substance use and sleep disturbances round out the leading complaints, together making up more than 80% of contacts. Since, January 2026 till date 9,106 calls have been received.

Complementing this ecosystem, Google’s suicide-prevention integration ensures that simple searches for “suicide” or crisis-related terms instantly display verified helpline numbers, making critical support visible at the very moment of need.

A key focus of Haryana’s prevention efforts is supporting students and young adults. The department has identified factors such as exam and competitive pressure, career uncertainty, parental expectations, relationship breakups, cyberbullying, social media pressure, loneliness, and substance use as serious risks to young people’s emotional wellbeing. Its message to students is unequivocal: “One examination, one result or one relationship does not define an entire life.”

Dr. Misra stated that suicide is rarely caused by a single factor. Prolonged stress, financial and family issues, relationship difficulties, academic and employment pressures, social isolation, substance use, chronic illness, depression, and other mental health conditions often overlap.

The department urges families, teachers, and friends to recognise early warning signs, such as persistent sadness or hopelessness, withdrawal, significant changes in sleep or appetite, loss of concentration or interest in studies or work, feelings of worthlessness or being a burden, and references to death or suicide. Such behaviour must not be dismissed as “attention-seeking” or weakness, Dr. Misra said.

“Suicide prevention is not limited to identifying mental illness. It is about supporting people through difficult circumstances, listening to them, ensuring timely access to care and creating a society where people can speak about their difficulties without fear, shame or stigma,” she said.

The Health Department advises that anyone expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm should be taken seriously, not left alone during a crisis, and connected to professional help as soon as possible.

Dr. Misra stated that the state’s prevention strategy will emphasise early recognition of distress, improved access to professional support, and the reduction of stigma around mental health care. District services and the 24x7 Tele-MANAS platform offer two channels for assistance.

Dr. Misra said suicide prevention should be viewed as a continuing public-health responsibility rather than a one-day campaign, with sustained awareness, accessible counselling, early identification of distress and timely professional intervention remaining central to the state's approach.

“The message for families and communities is simple: do not ignore emotional distress, listen without judgement and help the person reach professional support. Sometimes, a caring conversation can be the first step towards saving a life,” she said.

Haryana is taking mental health support directly into schools where timely intervention can make the greatest difference to a child’s well-being, confidence and future. The state has a robust public health network comprising 23 District Civil Hospitals, 50 Sub-Divisional Hospitals and 122 Community Health Centres (CHCs), giving a total of 195 healthcare institutions across the state. Alongside this network are 3,214 secondary and senior secondary schools, creating an average linkage of nearly 17 schools with each healthcare institution.