Resources for students in India — mental health support, helplines, and wellbeing tools

You don’t have to face what you’re going through alone. Whether you need someone to talk to right now or want to build long-term emotional resilience, support is available.

The resources listed below are specific to India and provide tools to support your own well-being, access to mental health professionals, and crisis helplines.

If you are in crisis

If you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, then you need to access help immediately. Please reach out now to one of the helplines and resources provided below. Asking for help takes strength, but it is so important to take this first step.
ResourceContactHoursHow to AccessLanguagesNotes
Tele MANAS14416 or 1800-891-441624/7Call directlyEnglish, हिन्दी, ಕನ್ನಡ, తెలుగు, தமிழ், മലയാളം, कोंकणी, मराठी, ગુજરાતી, অসমীয়া, বাংলা, ଓଡ଼ିଆ, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, कश्मीरी / ਕਸ਼ਮੀਰੀ, बरो, डोगरी, اردو, মণিপুরী, Mizo, and राजस्थानीGovt-run and functional; direct call connects to a counsellor
1Life (One Life Foundation)7893078930 or 85559 40650 (for WhatsApp)24/7Call directlyEnglish, हिन्दी, मराठी, ગુજરાતી, বাংলা, অসমীয়া, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, and മലയാളംSuicide prevention; tele-counsellors; referral to medical/psychiatric support
iCALL (TISS)9152987821Mon–Sat, 10am–8pmCall directlyEnglish, हिन्दी, मराठी, ગુજરાતી, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, বাংলা, தமிழ், తెలుగు, മലയാളം, and कोंकणीQualified counsellors offering support and not untrained volunteers anonymously and free
Mpower Minds Helpline1800-120-82005024/7Call directlyEnglish, हिंदी, मराठीHelpline has many years of experience and are qualified psychologists. This Helpline is only available for people over the age of 18.
AASRA+91-22-2754666924/7Call directlyEnglish, हिंदीSuicide prevention; confidential; trained volunteers
Vandrevala Foundation+91-9999-666-55524/7Call or WhatsAppEnglish, हिंदी, ગુજરતી, বাংলা, ಕನ್ನಡ, தமிழ், తెలుగు, മലയാളം, ଓଡ଼ିଆ, मराठी, ತುಳುProfessionally trained counsellors; 1 million+ calls; crisis focus
Childline109824/7Call directlyAll regional languagesSpecifically for under-18; any distress including mental health
Mann Talks8686139139Daily, 9am–8pmCall directlyEnglish, हिंदीFree; trained counsellors; email option also at care@manntalks.org
Sneha Foundation (Tamil Nadu)044-2464005024/7Call directlyதமிழ்
, English
Suicide prevention; crisis support
Sumaitri (Delhi)011-23389090Mon–Fri 2–10pm; Sat–Sun 10am–10pmCall directlyEnglish, हिंदीTrained volunteers; Delhi-based
Roshni Trust (Hyderabad)+91-40-6620-2000Mon–Sat, 11am–9pmCall directlyతెలుగు, हिंदी, EnglishSuicide prevention; Telangana
Lifeline Foundation (Kolkata)+91-33-24637401Daily, 10am–6pmCall directlyবাংলা, हिंदी, EnglishWest Bengal
DISHA (Kerala)105624/7Call directlyമലയാളം and EnglishKerala state; direct crisis line
Parivarthan (Karnataka)+91-7676-602-602Mon–Fri, 1pm–10pmCall directlyAll Indian languages except తెలుగు, മലയാളംBangalore-based; trained counsellors
Jeevan Aastha (Gujarat)1800-233-333024/7Call directlyગુજરાતી , हिंदीToll-free; suicide prevention
Fortis Stress Helpline837680410224/7Call directlyঅসমীয়া, বাংলা , English, ગુજરાતી , हिंदी , ಕನ್ನಡ, कोंकणी, मराठी, മലയാളം, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ , தமிழ், తెలుగు, اُردُو , राजस्थानी and Achikutrained mental health professionals
COOJ Mental Health Foundation (Goa)63 6161 2525Weekdays, 1pm–7pmCall directlyEnglish, हिंदी, and कोंकणीVolunteers offer non-judgmental, and non-advisory listening presence for callers

Mental Health Information & Education

The Live Love Laugh Foundation:

Founded by Deepika Padukone, TLLLF offers resources on depression, anxiety, and stress in the Indian context, including a helpline directory and self-assessment tools.

thelivelovelaughfoundation.org

NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences):

India’s apex mental health institution. Provides public education, research, and referral pathways for mental health conditions.

nimhans.ac.in

Vandrevala Foundation:

Free 24/7 mental health support in multiple Indian languages. Covers anxiety, depression, grief, substance use, and crisis situations.

vandrevalafoundation.com

Wellness, Mindfulness and Self Guided Tools

Headspace:

Guided meditation and mindfulness app. Offers sleep, focus, and stress tools. Teen-friendly with free access for students.

headspace.com

Insight Timer:

Free meditation app with thousands of guided sessions, including several by Indian teachers in Hindi and regional languages.

insighttimer.com

Mindhouse:

India-based mindfulness and mental wellness platform. Meditation, breathwork, and sleep tools designed for Indian audiences.

mindhouse.com

Wysa:

India-based mindfulness and mental wellness platform. Meditation, breathwork, and sleep tools designed for Indian audiences.

wysa.com

YourDOST:

Connects students and young people with trained counsellors, psychologists, and life coaches via text, audio, and video. Popular across Indian colleges and schools.

yourdost.com

Berkeley Greater Good:

Science-backed practices for happiness and wellbeing, including gratitude exercises, mindful breathing, and resilience tools.

greatergood.berkeley.edu

Clinical Services and Online Therapy

Amaha (formerly InnerHour):

One of India’s largest integrated mental health platforms. Covers therapy, psychiatry, self-care tools, and in-person care in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Free and paid options available.

amahahealth.com

iCALL — TISS:

Free, confidential professional counselling by trained psychologists from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Available by phone and email.

icallhelpline.org

Tele-MANAS App:

The government’s national tele-mental health programme, operated through NIMHANS. Free, multilingual, available across all Indian states. Over 10 lakh calls since 2022 launch.

telemanas.mohfw.gov.in

If you are unsure where to start, calling KIRAN (1800-599-0019) is free, available 24/7, and will connect you with a professional in your language.