Union Minister Meghwal launches mental health helpline

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs & Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal, launched a free mental health helpline run by AXA France Vie’s India division and Delhi-based non governmental organization (NGO) Manas Foundation.

The 24X7 pan India helpline will provide mental health support and consultations from counsellors and psychologists.

"In the aftermath of COVID-19 there have been increasing incidents of depression and suicides," said Meghwal adding that the helpline will generate awareness about mental illness and provide support to individuals.

"Through this initiative, we aim to help bridge the major gap in care for people suffering with poor mental health, which is integral to ensure holistic wellbeing," said Gordon Watson, CEO of AXA Asia & Africa.

According to AXA Mind Health Study on an average, 43% of people surveyed across 11 markets in Europe and Asia are either languishing or struggling, indicating the absence of positive wellbeing or symptoms of psychosocial impairment.

"As part of our initiative to provide inclusive insurance and cover the gaps in the current health policies, we are launching mental health covers for group clients which we aim to offer to everyone in the coming years. We will also be providing re-insurance capacity to the insurance companies to enable them to provide this cover to the larger public," said Ankur Nijhawan, CEO of AXA France Vie India Reinsurance Branch