Free Mental Health Counselling in India
🆓 National Helplines & Services
- Vandrevala Foundation: 24×7 helpline offering multilingual psychological support via phone and WhatsApp.
- iCALL (TISS): Free telephone, email, and chat-based counselling. Available Mon–Sat, 9 AM–9 PM.
- Tele MANAS: Government-backed 24×7 mental health service. Call 14416 or 1800-891-4416.
- SAMVAAD: Maharashtra-based 24×7 multilingual support in Marathi, Hindi, and English.
- AASRA: Suicide prevention helpline available 24×7 with trained volunteers.
🤝 NGO & Community-Based Free Counselling
- Sneha, Mitram Foundation, Parivarthan: City-based helplines offering emotional support via phone.
- SCARF (Chennai) & Shanti Home (NCR): Free outpatient and community services for mental health support.
- JiyoLifeSurat: Surat-based community initiative offering free counselling services.
💻 Low-Cost Platforms with Free Components
- Manoshala: Offers a free 15-minute prescreening session before paid therapy.
- TherapyKaro: Provides 1–2 free sessions if you purchase a multi-session package.
📋 Quick Summary
| Type | Key Services | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Helplines | Vandrevala, Tele MANAS, AASRA, iCALL, SAMVAAD | Mostly 24×7 |
| NGO/Community Programs | Sneha, Mitram, Parivarthan, SCARF, Shanti Home, JiyoLife | Varies by city |
| Online Platforms | Manoshala, TherapyKaro | Initial session free or discounted |
💡 Tips for Getting Help
- Call a 24×7 helpline if you're in emotional crisis.
- For consistent support, try NGOs or college-based counselling services.
- Explore low-cost online platforms with free starting sessions.
- Check language availability and operational hours before reaching out.
Note: Information is accurate as of 2025. For the most recent updates, visit official helpline websites or platforms.