Students, parents in the grip of board examination stress

The 104 helpline is now receiving more than 3,000 calls every day, while the Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline is receiving more than 100 calls per day from students.

In past three days alone, the 104 helpline has received more than 7,300 calls from students and parents, who asked questions related to the examinations andexam fear.

Of the total calls, 60 per cent are from students, while the remaining 40 per cent are from anxious parents.

“The majority of the calls to 104 helpline are related to queries regarding lack of concentration, examination fear and exam pressure. Most of the parents ask counsellors on the ways to improve their wards’ concentration, and also about managing stress and anxiety. The students usually ask about improvising study habits and planning the study schedule. These days, mobile phone addiction is one of the major concerns of the parents with the board examinations approaching,” said Dr V Sivagurunathan, head of operations with 104 helpline.

There are about 800-900 beneficiaries from the 104 exclusive counselling programme for the students and parents.

The 104 helpline has an exclusive team to clarify all the queries related to examination preparation and techniques to improve memory and concentration, and fear and anxiety management.

The Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline is also receiving about 100 calls every day, mainly from students on exam fear and coping with the associated pressure.

“The students have queries on lack of interest in particular subject and how to plan the study schedule. The reappearing candidates have a lot of queries on the tutorials, timetable and examination planning,” said a counsellor working with Sneha.