Deepika Padukone named India’s mental health ambassador; new Tele MANAS features launched

New Delhi: On World Mental Health Day 2025, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone officially became India’s Mental Health Ambassador, launching a series of major upgrades to the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS) alongside Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Deepika’s role as a national advocate is aimed at pushing mental health awareness into the mainstream, reducing stigma, and amplifying the impact of digital support systems like Tele MANAS.

What new features did Tele‑MANAS get?

The updated Tele MANAS app is now more user‑friendly and accessible. Key enhancements include:

Multi‑lingual support: The app will support 10 regional languages in addition to English and Hindi, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi.

Accessibility enhancements: Features for visually impaired users and vulnerable groups have been added to help them better navigate the app.

Chatbot “Asmi”: Users can now interact with a chatbot to seek mental health information or guidance.

Emergency module: Critical resources and steps for urgent mental health situations are now built into the app.

Why is Deepika’s role important to this push?

Deepika Padukone has long been associated with mental health advocacy. As the founder of the Live Love Laugh Foundation, she has worked to raise awareness and reduce stigma in India. Her appointment as Mental Health Ambassador gives her the official platform to reach diverse audiences, and bring attention to mental health as a national priority.

How is Tele‑MANAS impacting lives already?

According to Nadda, Tele MANAS has already handled around 28 lakh calls, with counsellors operating in over 20 languages. On average, 4,000 people contact the service daily, reflecting growing acceptance and reliance. The app’s expansion aims to further democratize access to mental health care across remote and underserved regions.