SHILLONG, Jan 13: State Mental Health Helpline-14410, an on-call mental health assistance designed to increase access to affordable and quality mental health services in Meghalaya, was on Friday launched by Health Minister James K Sangma.
“The toll-free number will be operational from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and callers can select Khasi, Garo, Pnar, Hindi or English as their language of choice for availing services. About 50 counsellors from various districts will be connected through the helpline,” a statement in this regard said.
Reacting to the launch of the toll-free number, James said, “A proud moment for us all. A month after coming up with the State Mental Health policy, we are able to follow it up with the introduction of this mental health helpline, which is crucial for providing mental health assistance to those in need in a timely manner.”
It may be mentioned that the number will connect callers to health experts such as psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and psychologists, as per the requirement.
“In case the caller requires an in-person service, he/she will be referred to a health and wellness centre or primary healthcare or tertiary healthcare,” the statement said.
It may be mentioned that the launch event was also attended by Principal Secretary of Health department P Sampath Kumar, Secretary of Health department RM Kurbah, Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) Ramkumar S, among other officials.
It may be mentioned that Meghalaya, in December last year, became the first state in the Northeast and third in the country to come up with its own comprehensive policy for Mental Health and Social Care Policy.
The policy was introduced with a vision to promote overall mental health and well-being as well as facilitate appropriate access and care pathways for common and severe mental health concerns.
