Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed concern over students suffering from depression, asking parents not to hesitate in consulting professional counsellors if they observe any such symptoms in their wards.

He was replying to a question from a college student on the issue during his over 90-minute pep talk with the students, parents and teachers here at an event on dealing with examination stress and daily life situations.

Mauli Singh, a student of Thakur Tej Singh Degree College, Agra, urged the Prime Minister for his guidance on dealing with homesickness and depression while staying in a hostel to pursue her studies far away from home.

“People suffering from depression in a country like India is a matter of great concern. It is certain unfortunate changes in the fundamental structure of our society which is responsible for it.

Earlier, we used to live in a joint family where a child had the opportunity to express his/her feelings with grandparents, mother and other family members and feel relieved,” he said.

The prime minister suggested that parents should maintain a kind relationship with their wards so they are at ease in sharing their feelings with them.

“We should approach counsellors without any hesitation if a child shows even a little sign of depression. If you remain cut off, it will lead to big problems,” he added.

The prime minister, who addressed to a total of 2,000 students, parents, and teachers here at Talkatora stadium, also suggested parents not to keep over expectation from their children to fulfil their “unfulfilled dreams.”

Parents should not treat the “report cards” of their children as their “visiting cards,” he added.

The programme, titled ‘Pariksha pe Charcha 2.0,’ was aired live by Doordashan and other television channels as well as on various social media platforms.

Human Resource Development minister Prakash Javadekar hoped that the programme was watched by at least 14 crore students across the country and abroad as the centre had requested all the schools and colleges to ensure their students and teachers watch the programme.