A helpline started just a few days ago to offer free counselling to Delhi University students is receiving back-to-back calls as the “phone keeps ringing” with students seeking constant help.
“From the time our counselling helpline opens, the response is tremendous. The counsellors attend calls from across the university and majorly of the students seeking help over troubled relations with their family and friends,” Chairperson Delhi University Women’s Association (DUWA) Neelanjana Singh told The Pioneer.
Singh said the students have mostly expressed about the depression caused by “failed” and “troubled” relations which are triggered by stress.
“Our counsellor speaks from five minutes to longer duration - depending on the seriousness of the problem. We find throughout the calls keep increasing and then they are put on automatic waiting so that the counsellor does not miss out on them,” she added.
The varsity’s ‘Mind Body Centre’ which initiated to offer counselling through helpline earlier provided a face-to-face counselling to female students and faculty but the new facility is for male students as well.
Besides personal issues, students have also called to seek help while enquiring about the courses and syllabi. However, the DUWA chairperson said issues other than personal are directed to the concerning authority or department.
The telephonic and email helpline started accepting queries from October 5. “The toll-free number for the helpline is 1800 3000 7303.
The callers can make their queries from 3 pm to 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those calling beyond these timings can leave the message on voicemail and the counsellors will call them back,” said Nilanjana, wife of varsity Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh.