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Where to talk to someone in India: helplines and paid options

If you want to talk to someone and do not know who to call, this page lists the options in India.

The helplines come first, with their numbers, hours and who runs them. Some are free to call, and on others your phone company's normal call charges apply. After them are the kinds of paid options and what to check before you pay for one.

We run Talk Yaaro, which is one of the paid options, so it comes last. The helplines are here for everyone, whether or not you use our app.

If you are in danger or thinking of harming yourself, call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416 now.

Helplines

Helplines in India

Each card gives the number and who the line is for. Hours, cost and languages are on the card where the helpline's own page states them.

Which line to call

  • If you are in danger right now, call 112, the emergency number.
  • For a mental health worry at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416. The Government of India runs it, and it is free.
  • The Vandrevala Foundation line and AASRA are also open 24 hours on all days. One is a mobile number and the other is a Mumbai landline, so normal call charges may apply.
  • iCALL is open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 9 pm. It is closed at night and on Sundays.
  • 1098 is for children. 181 and 14490 are for women.

Talk Yaaro hosts are not counsellors, and Talk Yaaro is not an emergency service.

  • Emergency number

    112

    For anyone in immediate danger who needs the police, fire and rescue, or an ambulance.

  • Tele-MANAS

    Government of India mental health line (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

    14416or 1-800 891 4416

    For stress, sadness, anxiety, sleep trouble, thoughts of self-harm or any other mental health worry.

    Free. 24 hours, all days. In 20 Indian languages.

    Official page

  • iCALL

    Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

    9152987821

    For anyone in emotional distress, at any age.

    Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 9 pm. Counselling is free, and your phone company's normal call charges apply. In Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Konkani.

    Official page

  • Vandrevala Foundation

    A non-government organisation

    +91 9999 666 555

    For anyone feeling anxious, depressed, stressed, lonely or suicidal, or struggling to cope.

    24 hours, all days. Counselling is free. It is a mobile number, so normal call charges may apply. You can also message the same number on WhatsApp.

    Official page

  • AASRA

    A charity in Navi Mumbai. Trained volunteers answer.

    022 2754 6669

    For people who are lonely, distressed or thinking of suicide.

    24 hours, 7 days a week. In English and Hindi. It is a Mumbai landline, so normal call charges may apply.

    Official page

  • Child Helpline

    Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India

    1098

    For children in crisis or in need of help.

    Free. 24 hours, all days.

    Official page

  • Women Helpline

    Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India

    181

    For any woman in distress or facing violence, or someone calling for her.

    Free. 24 hours, all days. The Ministry says it runs in every State and Union Territory except West Bengal.

    Official page

  • NCW Women Helpline

    National Commission for Women, Government of India

    14490

    For women and girls above 18 facing violence or abuse.

    Free. 24 hours, all days.

    Official page

We read these numbers on each helpline's own page, or on a Government of India page, on 11 October 2026.

What Talk Yaaro is and what it is not

Talk Yaaro is a listener app, and we are the team that runs it. It has anonymous 1-on-1 voice calls, chat and live audio rooms with verified hosts. It is for company and emotional support.

It is not a dating app. It is not therapy or medical advice, and it is not an emergency service. It is only for people aged 18 and over. The hosts are verified people who listen. They pass KYC before they can take calls, but they are not counsellors.

A call costs 15 to 25 coins a minute, depending on the host. A new account made with a mobile number starts with 49 free coins, once. The full prices are further down this page.

How it works

  1. The app is for Android phones. Make an account with your mobile number and an OTP, or tap Continue as Guest.
  2. Open a host's profile. It shows that host's rate for a minute before you call.
  3. Call the host or send a chat message. On a call, coins are cut only after the host picks up. A call that is missed or declined costs nothing.

You can also listen to a live audio room for free. The host sees your nickname, never your phone number, and calls are not recorded. You can report and block a host. There is more about this on our Safety page.

Cost

What Talk Yaaro costs

You pay with coins, and only for the calls, chat messages and gifts you use.

49 free coins on a new account

A new account made with a mobile number and OTP starts with 49 free coins, once. That is 3 minutes of a call at 15 coins a minute, or 24 chat messages. If you tap Continue as Guest you start with 0 coins. You get the 49 coins when you add a mobile number in the app, once per number.

  • Calls

    15 to 25 coins a minute, depending on the host. New hosts charge 15. The rate is shown on the host's profile before you call. You need enough coins for one minute to start a call, and every started minute is charged in full.

  • When coins are cut

    Only after the host picks up. A call that is missed or declined costs nothing.

  • Chat

    2 coins for each message you send. A voice note costs the same as a text message.

  • Live audio rooms

    Free to listen to. Sending a gift in a room is optional and costs coins.

  • No subscription

    There is no joining fee either. You pay only for what you use.

Coin packs

Coins are bought in packs through Google Play.

Pack priceCoinsOne minute at 15 coins
₹5050₹15
₹100140about ₹11
₹250400about ₹9
₹500950about ₹8
₹1,0002,500₹6
₹200Saturdays and Sundays only500₹6

What a minute comes to in rupees depends on the pack you buy. A 15-coin minute costs ₹15 with the smallest pack and ₹6 with the largest. With a host who charges 25 coins a minute, a minute costs ₹25 with the smallest pack and ₹10 with the largest.

FAQ

Common questions

Is there a free number in India I can call to talk to someone?

Yes. Tele-MANAS is the Government of India mental health line. Call 14416 or 1-800 891 4416. It is free, open 24 hours on all days, and answers in 20 Indian languages. If you are in danger right now, call 112, the emergency number.

Which helplines are open at night?

Tele-MANAS on 14416, the Vandrevala Foundation line on +91 9999 666 555 and AASRA on 022 2754 6669 are open 24 hours on all days. iCALL is open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm, so it is closed at night and on Sundays.

Are the people on Talk Yaaro counsellors or therapists?

No. Talk Yaaro hosts are verified people who listen. They pass KYC before they can take calls, but they are not counsellors. Talk Yaaro is not therapy or medical advice, and it is not an emergency service. If you want to speak to a counsellor without paying, Tele-MANAS on 14416 is free.

Is Talk Yaaro free, or do I have to pay?

Live audio rooms are free to listen to. Calls and chat cost coins. A call costs 15 to 25 coins a minute depending on the host, and the rate is shown on the host's profile before you call. Chat costs 2 coins for each message you send. A new account made with a mobile number starts with 49 free coins, once, which is 3 minutes of a call at 15 coins a minute. After that you buy coin packs through Google Play, starting at ₹50 for 50 coins. There is no subscription and no joining fee.

Talk Yaaro for Android

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