CHENNAI : More and more teenagers are seeking help from telecounsellors to cope with the pressures of examinations and particularly, results. The counsellors say this ia welcome trend, as speaking out one's problems could make a difference.

From the innocuous "How do I apply for re-totalling?" to questions such as "I feel worthless and I am terribly depressed. What can I do?", helplines receive a wide range of calls everyday.

Acknowledging the need for a support system for students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced the telecounselling helpline about 10 years ago.

This year, the service was made available from early February to help students ahead of the examinations.

"Students who have failed in one subject ask me if they will make it to college. I tell them, of course, they will, and ask them to prepare well for their compartmental examination," says Jaya Ravishankar, a counsellor appointed by the CBSE.

Success stories of students who failed and yet made it big are narrated to reassure and comfort them.

Ms. Ravishankar, who gets about 15 calls everyday, recalled a parent expressing concern about her child not meeting his friends after the results were out.

"The parents have an important role in ensuring that the child feels okay." On the day results were out, the number of calls received was much higher.

Counsellors emphasise the need for parents to refrain from passing sarcastic comments and comparing their child's performance to that of his or her friends. Non-governmental organisation Sneha, working in the area of suicide prevention, has also observed an increase in the number calls from students.

Director P. V. Sankaranarayanan says they receive about 25 calls a day in the last few days. "More children are aware of such services and are willing to open up." Sneha, therefore, introduced an additional helpline this year.

Asking for tips

Parents have also been calling, asking for tips to console their children. Lending an empathetic ear and telling them that it's okay will go a long way in keeping their self-esteem intact, counsellors add.

Sneha's helplines 2464 0060 and 2464 0050 will be accessible round the clock till the Class X results are out.

The CBSE's website (www.cbse.nic.in) has, besides tips, the list of telephone numbers of counsellors.

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