Helpline numbers initiated at prominent centres in the State Capital to aid the youth to combat their fear, depression, peer pressure and other major issues is in a shambles. Most of these helpline numbers started few years back are either not functioning or have been temporary disconnected from the service.
Telephone helpline service was started to render effective counseling service to youths. The helpline numbers are not just effective in crisis intrusion and suicide prevention but also cater to the needs of adolescents to deal with several vital issues with they face at specific age.
Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) started a 24 hour telephone helpline number in May 2001 to assist the people in distress. 1800-345-1849 is a 24 hour toll free helpline at CIP, which provides specialist telephone counseling and information to anyone, affected by suicidal thoughts or is in distress. The details of such people are kept confidential by the councillors. At initial stage, it received good response from denizens but later on the service was disconnected.
likewise, the State-owned premier Ranchi Institute of Neuro-psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) also launched a suicide helpline for the mentally distressed in the year 2011.Though the toll-free number 0651-2451058 is functional but is not effective since 2015.
“The toll free numbers to deal with the cases of stress among youths do exist but are not functional. We lack human resources to manage the system. Besides, the counselor left the job six months back due to some financial constrains. We have just received the funds and the service will be revived soon under the guidance of trained experts. We are also planning to appoint few councillors on contractual basis so that better assistance can provided to people in need,” informed, RINPAS Director, Dr Subash Soren.
In 2015, Jharkhand Academic council (JAC) has also started the toll free counselling service to assist the students on various issues. Students seeking queries could consult the centre from 11 am to 3pm on 0651-6453348, 0651-6453342 and on toll free number 18003456523 for expert advice. However, even receiving optimistic response from the students, the service has been discontinued.
“The toll free number is functional but at times due to staff crunch, the service is not provided in the way it should be given. Nevertheless, cases which are received are dealt carefully by the panelists at regular interval,” stated, JAC Chairperson, Arvind Singh.