JOIN USEducation related queries flood the 24-hour helpline launched by Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports.
The helpline was launched to support youth in distress receives a dozen calls on a given day. According to Deputy Director Satish Sajjanar, with exams on, most queries relate to vocation and higher education. “We also receive calls related to addiction,” he added. The helpline was launched on a pilot-basis across the State.
The department has tied up with Sa-Mudra Foundation, a non-government organisation, to provide assistance over phone. Sa-Mudra Foundation Founder Bindu Singh said they receive calls from across the State. “We have people calling from North Karnataka region,” she said. “Issues are mostly related to anxiety and exam related. We have lot of repeaters calling us who, have the fear of failure,” she added. Presently, a team of 21 counsellors take calls and help students on various issues. “We also have a team at SSLC Board,” she said.
Besides telephonic counselling at threshold level, face-to-face interaction is provided if need be. “There are times when students seek help to understand concepts. The counsellor makes an effort to get back to the student and resolve the problem even in such cases,” she explained.
Singh said as there were technical challenges, calls are taken till 11 pm. However, counsellors would revert back if there were missed calls late in night.
The help-line numbers are 9743625063 and 9880396331.