Bengaluru, 4 Feb

Bengaluru police on Wednesday integrated the Tele MANAS mental health helpline with Namma 112, the Emergency Response Support System, to ensure quicker and coordinated responses to psychiatric emergencies, including suicide risk, officials said.

The integration enables seamless transfer of distress calls between Namma 112 and Tele MANAS (14416), allowing callers to receive either emergency intervention or specialised mental health support without delay.

An integration programme was organised to strengthen emergency mental health response mechanisms in the city. The event was presided over by Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh and Dr Pratima Murthy, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).

According to police, the collaboration marks a significant step in improving crisis-time mental health services by linking first responders with trained mental health professionals.

“Timely assistance will be provided to individuals experiencing mental health distress. Psychiatric emergencies, including suicide risk, can be managed promptly in coordination with Namma 112, while mental health-related calls received by Namma 112 will be transferred to Tele MANAS (14416) for specialised management,” the police statement said.

Officials said the initiative aims to ensure faster response, coordination and humane, compassionate care for people in distress, while reducing the burden on emergency responders.