Airtel Lanka in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), has launched a major expansion of the 1926 Mental Health Helpline to now include a dedicated Whatsapp service.
Anyone in need of mental health assistance can now reach NIMH’s Mental Health Helpline via WhatsApp on 075555 1926.
NIMH Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Pushpa Ranasinghe said, “The recent lockdowns and the increased isolation that it caused has led to an increase in mental health related issues. Hence, the need for a WhatsApp based solution is very much the need of the hour. The majority who reach out through the chat-line tend to be young Sri Lankans who are struggling to cope.”
Since going live on World Mental Health Day 2020, the text-based service has helped to initiate over 100 life-saving interventions.
CEO/MD, Airtel Sri Lanka, Ashish Chandra, “We hope that the expansion of the 1926 service to Whatsapp will encourage even more Sri Lankans to reach out, knowing that there is always someone there to listen.”