Crisis Help: India
If you’re in crisis right now, you’re not alone. Help is available immediately, free, and confidential.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence. If this is overwhelming right now, you can just call the number below. You don’t have to read everything.
🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number
Section titled “🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number”Tele-MANAS (National Mental Health Helpline)
Section titled “Tele-MANAS (National Mental Health Helpline)”Phone: 14416 or 1-800-891-4416
Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
Cost: Free (toll-free)
Languages: English, Hindi, and 20+ regional languages
Run by: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India
What happens:
- Free 24/7 mental-health and crisis support
- Trained counsellors, nationwide
- Confidential
- India’s national tele–mental-health service (launched 2022)
Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)
Section titled “Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)”Mental Health Crisis
Section titled “Mental Health Crisis”iCall (TISS): 9152987821 (Mon–Sat, 10am–8pm)
- Counselling for mental health and emotional distress
- Free and confidential
- Email and chat counselling also available
Vandrevala Foundation: 9999 77 6666 (24/7)
- Crisis intervention service
- Suicide prevention
- Emotional support
AASRA: 9820466726 / +91-22-2754-6669 (24/7)
- Mental health and suicide support
- Phone and email
Suicidal Thoughts
Section titled “Suicidal Thoughts”AASRA: 9820466726 (24/7)
- Suicide prevention
- Confidential support
iCall: 9152987821 (24/7)
- Suicide prevention for youth
Vandrevala Foundation: 9999 77 6666 (24/7)
Abuse or Violence
Section titled “Abuse or Violence”AASRA: 9820466726
- Can provide support and referrals for abuse
Local women’s helplines: Search “[Your state] women’s helpline”
- Many states have local domestic violence hotlines
Youth Crisis
Section titled “Youth Crisis”iCall: 9152987821 (24/7)
- Free confidential support for young people
- Mental health, relationships, education concerns
Disability-Specific Crisis Support
Section titled “Disability-Specific Crisis Support”National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Illness and Multiple Disability: 1800 180 1060
- Government support for disabled people
- Can connect to services
Disability India Network: Organizations in major cities
- Local disability support organizations
Major Cities Regional Support
Section titled “Major Cities Regional Support”Mumbai
Section titled “Mumbai”- AASRA: 9820466726
- iCall: 9152987821
- AASRA: 9820466726
- iCall: 9152987821
- Delhi Mental Health: Search local services
Bangalore
Section titled “Bangalore”- Vandrevala Foundation: 9999 77 6666
- Local mental health services
Kolkata
Section titled “Kolkata”- AASRA: 9820466726
- Telephone Samaritans Kolkata: 2389 4547
Emergency: Life-Threatening
Section titled “Emergency: Life-Threatening”Immediate life-threatening danger:
- Call 100 for police/emergency
- Call 102 or 108 for ambulance
- Go to nearest hospital/emergency
What to Say When You Call
Section titled “What to Say When You Call”You don’t need perfect words. Just say:
- “I’m in crisis” / “Mujhe madad chahiye” (Hindi)
- “I’m thinking about suicide”
- “I need to talk to someone”
Counselors are trained to help.
Accessibility & Contact Methods
Section titled “Accessibility & Contact Methods”For Those Without Phone Access
Section titled “For Those Without Phone Access”- WhatsApp: Many services available on WhatsApp
- Text/SMS: Services like iCall available via text
- Walk-in: Some services have physical offices
For Multiple Languages
Section titled “For Multiple Languages”- Hindi available on most services
- Regional languages available on some services
- English available on most services
Rural Areas
Section titled “Rural Areas”- Services available by phone from anywhere
- Some services have mobile clinics
- Ask about local community health workers
After You Call
Section titled “After You Call”Crisis lines help you get through RIGHT NOW. After that:
Finding Ongoing Support
Section titled “Finding Ongoing Support”Contact your nearest:
- Primary Health Center (PHC)
- Community Health Center (CHC)
- Hospital with mental health services
Mental health professionals:
- Indian Psychiatric Society: ipsych.org.in (find psychiatrists)
- Counselors: Search in your city
Government services:
- Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): Health insurance for poor
- Ayushman Bharat: Government health program
Important Information
Section titled “Important Information”Most services listed are free, but cost and hours vary by service — check each one. Tele-MANAS (14416) is free and 24/7.
Confidentiality
Section titled “Confidentiality”These lines are confidential. Emergency services are contacted only in cases of immediate, serious risk.
Many services run 24/7, but some (e.g., iCall) have limited hours — check each listing.
You Can Call Multiple Times
Section titled “You Can Call Multiple Times”Many people use crisis services multiple times. That’s normal.
You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call
Section titled “You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call”If you’re asking: “Am I bad enough to call?” → You are. Call.
Related Resources
Section titled “Related Resources”Confirm each number with the service before calling; details can change.
In crisis right now? Call Tele-MANAS: 14416. Everything else can wait.
Cost, confidentiality, and hours vary by service — check each listing.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.