Chennai: In the past month, the number of state education helpline 14417 had received more than one lakh phone call from students in Tamil Nadu.
This is the highest number of calls received by Helpline in a month since it was launched three years ago.
This time the most common question of students, including second and final year students, is about career prospects because of a pandemic.
“My seniors studied the same course as I was currently pursuing but no one was placed.
Most of them without work for a year,” said one of the callers, who was the third year trade student from Tirunelveli.
“Many companies don’t hire, the scene will change in the near future?” He asked.
Paul Robinson, Helpline’s head operation, said that while they cannot predict their future suggest a variety of choices available to students who will give them a safe future.
“We explain their career courses and prospects and also include places that offer training and institutions that offer higher studies.
And our counselors also advise them thus, so they do not lose hope,” he said.
In June, Helpline received at least 1,500 calls per day, the number reached 10,000 on June 2 and 3, after the minister’s head mentioned Helpline in one of his speeches, Robinson said.
“Previously we would get around 250 calls per day, but now the question has been poured out of all parts of the country because students now know that it is a single point communication for all questions relating to education,” he said.
Because the surge in the number of calls, the help channel will add more psychologists and counselors to their existing 70 panels, in the coming weeks.
“We need more people to handle students’ questions.
We will improve the team,” Robinson said.
Psychologists in the city argue that they have received more calls from young graduates, who are worried about their careers.
“We have a generation that hasn’t worked last year because of a pandemic.
This in turn has an impact on mental health, confidence, and their self-esteem.
Even though we prescribe them ways to stay engaged, they all want jobs desperately.
If this is not handled , we might see some mental health problems among young people, “said Rupali Shukla, a psychologist.