Oops, 104-helpline receives 10,600 calls

Counsellors claimed that they received more calls from students with suicidal tendencies as they were disappointed over their performance. The 104-helpline staff prevented them from taking the extreme step. The helpline, run by State Health department and Tamil Nadu Health System Project (TNHSP), would on a regular day receive 1,000 to 1,500 calls. 

In anticipation of the results, the helpline on Thursday increased the number of counsellors. The staff said that call volume till 10 pm was considerably low, but calls started flooding after the results were announced. Officials said that the helpline received 10,600 calls till 6 pm in the evening and most of the calls were related to psychological issues. 

B Prabudoss, head, Tamil Nadu Marketing and Communication, GVK-EMRI 108 Ambulance services, which is playing a main role in running the helpline, told DT Next that the helpline prevented a sizeable number of students, who had suicidal tendencies. 

“A girl, who called for counselling, told us that she has suicidal tendency, as her mother scolded her, because she got low marks in the examination, but we immediately spoke to her parents and gave counselling,” he said and added that a large number of students, who were depressed, contacted the helpline and counsellors provided the necessary information. 

“Even parents in many areas rang up the centre for seeking help with regard to results. We also informed many parents on how they could access the marks scored by their wards,” he said. He also revealed that many calls could have been abandoned, as all the staff and counsellors in the helpline were busy from 12 noon. Another official said that they would consolidate the total number of calls on Saturday and classify the categories. The calls were expected to increase throughout Saturday night.