In a groundbreaking move to address the country’s growing mental health burden, India launched its National Mental Health Grid (NMHG) in 2025—a nationwide digital and physical infrastructure aimed at integrating mental wellness into primary healthcare and social systems. This marks one of the most ambitious mental health initiatives ever attempted in the Global South, bringing structured care, awareness, and access to over 1.3 billion people.

With the aftermath of the pandemic, digital overload, climate anxiety, and urban loneliness on the rise, policymakers acknowledged the urgent need for a systemic approach to mental well-being. The NMHG, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is now operational in all 28 states and 8 Union Territories, creating a 24×7 mental health ecosystem accessible to every citizen.

Features of the Mental Health Grid

The NMHG is designed as a hybrid system, combining teletherapy, community outreach, and AI-backed early diagnosis. Its core components include:

• TeleMANAS 2.0: An upgraded tele-mental health platform offering 24/7 access to certified psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors via video, chat, or voice—available in 15 languages.

• JanSwasthya Counselling Centres: 10,000 centers integrated into primary health clinics, staffed by trained community mental health workers and linked to local hospitals.

• MindMitra App: A citizen-facing mental health companion app that provides mood tracking, CBT-based self-help tools, relaxation routines, and referral support.

• School and Workplace Integration: Over 1 lakh schools and 50,000 companies have incorporated NMHG-certified mental wellness programs.

Each citizen’s mental health profile is linked to their Ayushman Bharat Digital Health ID, ensuring continuity of care, confidentiality, and access to subsidized medication and therapy.

AI and Early Intervention

In collaboration with IIT Madras and NIMHANS, the NMHG uses AI-powered screening tools to detect early symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and burnout from anonymized data, helping flag at-risk individuals even before they seek help.

Pilot programs using these tools in Maharashtra and Assam have already reduced suicide rates in vulnerable groups, such as farmers and students, by 12% in just one year.

Public Awareness and Social De-Stigmatization

The success of the Mental Health Grid lies not just in technology but in changing public attitudes. The government launched “Mann Ki Baat 2.0: Let’s Talk Mind”, a national campaign featuring celebrities, cricketers, and community leaders opening up about mental health struggles.

Dedicated “Mind Wellness Weeks” are now held in colleges, factories, and rural panchayats. Special focus is given to marginalized groups, including LGBTQIA+ youth, senior citizens, and migrant workers, with culturally contextual resources.

Global Recognition and Way Forward

The NMHG has been recognized by the World Health Organization and is being considered as a model for other developing nations. India also co-founded the South Asian Mental Resilience Partnership (SAMREP) with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka to share tools, training, and digital platforms.

Plans are underway to expand the Grid to offer rehabilitation for substance abuse, postpartum mental health, and climate trauma counseling.

Conclusion

With the National Mental Health Grid in 2025, India has declared that mental health is not a privilege—it’s a right. By integrating care into everyday systems, using tech to personalize support, and fostering compassion across society, India is turning a silent crisis into a collective movement for healing.