India's government-run mental health helpline, Tele-MANAS, has reported a notable trend: an increasing number of callers are asking to be transferred to a human counsellor after initially interacting with an AI-assisted triage system. While exact call volume statistics remain unclear due to limited public data, the observation underscores the enduring value of human connection in mental health support.
The development comes as the helpline continues to expand its services across the country. The preference for human counsellors may bolster arguments for greater government investment in recruiting and training mental health professionals, rather than relying solely on automated systems.
As AI tools become more prevalent in healthcare, this real-world feedback highlights the importance of ensuring technology complements—rather than replaces—human expertise.