India has a severe shortage of psychiatrists, with only 0.7 professionals for every 1,00,000 population.

However, the standard guidelines recommend that there should be at least 3/100,000 population.

To fill this gap, there have been suggestions to increase the number of postgraduate seats in psychiatry.

Also, there is a felt need to train healthcare workers in AB-HWCs to counsel people suffering from common mental health disorders.

This should be supported by a timely referral to a higher center.

Tele-Manas, the government-run tele-mental health helpline, is a force multiplier that provides counseling through Tele Manas Cells.