COVID-19 Taking A Toll On Mental Health? Reach Out To These Bangalore-Based Helplines!

Struggling to deal with the COVID stress, anxiety and fatigue that has been affecting many of us over the past few weeks? We've rounded up some Bangalore helplines you can reach out to if you need to seek help. While you stay in and keep yourself safe and sane, these helplines and resources will help you take care of your mental health.

NIMHANS

Touted to be the first institute to start a helpline dedicated to psychosocial support during disasters, NIMHANS offers mental health support and services for free. Available throughout the day, the line is helmed by a team of psychologists and psychiatrists. Whether you're grappling with anxiety, stress, emotional discomfort or other issues related to the ongoing pandemic, an expert professional will help you through it with their tele-counselling service. All you have to do is call their toll-free number.
Contact: 080 46110007 

InnerSight

Led by a group of counsellors spread across the country, InnerSight has posts (even memes) that delve into everything from anxiety to dealing with work from home issues during the lockdown. Packing in tips, practices and strategies, their Mental Health e-Guide, available on the website, is a complete comprehensive aid to understanding why you might be feeling moody and tackling it. You can also book online appointments via Whatsapp and coordinate with their counsellors for further help. The sessions are on a pay-as-you-can basis.
Contact: 9611405684
Follow them on Instagram here.

SAHAI Helpline

Originally started as a suicide prevention helpline, SAHAI stepped in to help with the rising mental health issues faced by individuals across the city after COVID-19 took over our lives. Led by a team of volunteers who have been trained by experts, the helpline is open to anyone going through emotional distress or other troubles, including suicidal tendencies.
Contact: 080 25497777

Parivarthan

A city-based counselling and training centre, Parivarthan has a counselling helpline catering to all age groups, genders and economic backgrounds. They have a team of 15 certified, multi-lingual counsellors doing their best to help callers deal with everything from anxiety to depression. Apart from resolving immediate issues over a call, they also have options to hold multiple sessions across a few weeks or even connect you to other resources to seek help.
When: Monday-Friday, 1 pm to 10 pm
Contact: 7676602602

PeakMind

Focusing on emotional upskilling and mental well-being, PeakMind clearly knows the mental toll that the current situation can take on us. Rising up to the occasion, the folks behind the initiative have introduced a COVID Emotional Support Helpline. You can reach out to them for help if you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, anxious or disturbed. It's a free service and will be available on all days of the week except Sunday.
When: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm
Contact: 080 47092334