Pune: The 'Muktaa' mental health project has emerged as a vital resource in Pune, addressing the emotional struggles of numerous individuals. In the past year, the helpline received 10,890 calls, reflecting a wide range of distressing experiences.

Among the callers is a 32-year-old man distressed by deceit from his wife, while a 40-year-old woman from Mumbai reports sexual abuse from family members.

A 27-year-old woman in Bihar struggles to bond with her children due to tuberculosis, and a 42-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh is contemplating suicide after the loss of his mother.

The Muktaa helpline provides free and confidential support to those grappling with mental health issues. It offers assistance to individuals across the country dealing with various forms of mental distress, including suicidal thoughts, relationship difficulties, stress from family expectations, academic career concerns, and worries regarding sexual and physical health.

The advisory board for the Muktaa mental health project includes esteemed professionals such as Dr. Arvind Panchandikar, Dr. Swati Dehadroy, Sachin Chitambaran, Dr. Sadhana Natu, and Prof. Rajeshwar Mishra, among others. The helpline can be reached at 07887889882 (Monday to Saturday), as stated by Sachin Chitambaran.

Mental and emotional illnesses are often viewed with stigma in society, and the misconception that psychiatric care is prohibitively expensive leads over 85% of those experiencing emotional struggles to avoid seeking help.

In response to this, the Muktaa mental health project’s helpline aims to make support accessible to all, emphasizing the importance of reaching out for assistance, remarked Dr. Roopa Agarwal, co-founder of the Muktaa Mental Health Helpline.