On the eve of the class XII State board examination results on Thursday, Sneha, a suicide prevention centre in the city, received 10 calls from anxious students. What’s going to happen, and what if it’s not good, was the topmost worry on their minds.
Sneha, as well the State health department’s helpline 104, have geared up to offer their services. Sneha has a dedicated 24-hour telephone helpline (044-24640050)for those who are going through exam-related stress, available between May 9 and 20.The health department’s helpline also functions 24X7.
“This year, the surprising trend is that students are not worried so much about passing or failing, but about getting the right marks. We have students who tell us that their older siblings performed well and got into good colleges, and that parents expect similar results from them,” said Lakshmi Vijayakumar, founder, Sneha. The pressure, Dr. Vijayakumar said, seemed to be more for students from semi-rural areas, many of whom were possibly first-generation college entrants.
Around 50 volunteers will man the Sneha helpline on a shift basis. In addition, their regular helpline (044-24640060) will also function. The centre can be approached at 11, Park View Road, R.A. Puram, Chennai – 28 or through email at help@snehaindia.org.
On an average, over 200 students in the age group of 14 to 29 commit suicide in Tamil Nadu around the time of examination results. Research shows that feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, shame and misery intensify in the night, at which point human contact can make a difference.
