Highlights COVID-19 Pandemic has heralded a wave of mental health concerns. Using technology optimally is one way of cutting across barriers to reach out to distressed individuals. Psychological First Aid can be provided via tele-mental health services. This is the first attempt at addressing psychosocial needs of the general population in the times of COVID-19 by providing psychosocial support using the means of a tele-helpline

The helpline uses an interactive voice response system set up by a company iKontel under the corporate social responsibility initiative. To guide the caller to the key-press options, the system uses