Recognising the growing need for accessible and comprehensive mental healthcare, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implemented the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), which also includes targeted support for postpartum mothers.
Key Highlights:
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The programme places strong emphasis on community-based care, primary healthcare integration, maternal mental health, and technology-enabled support systems.
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A key pillar of NMHP is the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), which has now been sanctioned in 767 districts nationwide.
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DMHP services include outpatient care, counselling, treatment for severe mental illness, free medicines, outreach services and ambulance support.
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To enhance mental healthcare at the primary level, over 1.83 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and PHCs have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
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Guidelines and training manuals on Mental, Neurological and Substance Use (MNS) disorders have been issued to help frontline workers identify, manage and refer mental health cases.
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India has 47 Government-run mental hospitals, including NIMHANS (Bengaluru), CIP (Ranchi) and LGBRIMH (Tezpur).
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The Tele MANAS service, launched in October 2022, provides free mental health counselling across India. As of March 2026, it has handled over 34.34 lakh calls.
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The Tele MANAS mobile app and video consultation services, launched in 2024, have further improved access to care.
Addressing Postpartum Mental Health
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Maternal mental health has received special attention under the programme.
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As per the National Mental Health Survey (2016), 5.72% of adult women suffer from depressive disorders.
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Under the National Health Mission, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) screen postpartum mothers during six postnatal home visits after delivery, including signs of postpartum depression, is assessed.
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Mothers identified with mental health concerns are referred to appropriate facilities under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) and Extended PMSMA.
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ASHAs receive incentives under the Optimization of Postnatal Care Scheme for timely identification and referral.
Through NMHP, the Government is strengthening mental healthcare with emphasis on early detection, primary level services and maternal mental health. The programme aims to ensure that postpartum mothers receive timely, accessible and stigma free mental healthcare across the country.
