A report on the new Telecounselling initiative by Rahul Swamy
There was a time when IIT Madras had featured in the headlines of newspapers across the country due to a much debated issue. It may have faded off the carbon editions of dailies, but the basic question still lingers on in many of our minds; are suicides preventable?
It may take more than just answering a question to deal with this issue. The IIT Madras Guidance and Counselling Unit (GCU), under Prof. G. Srinivasan, has taken an active initiative in collaboration with Medall Behavioral Health Services by setting up a Tele Counselling unit for all the students in campus. This service will be offered by young experts with sound experience to students on an anonymous basis. More importantly, it is available round the clock.
When asked about the main motive behind this initiative, Partha Sarathi Pati, head of the GCU, said “We all face times when we are out of confidence or are stuck up with an issue one can’t normally discuss with one’s friends and family. From academics to relationships, we carry a truck load of problems on our backs. Talking about it to someone with experience and a positive outlook, who is just a call away, is the easiest way to let it out. Anyone can avail this service – one need not be diagnosed with depression.
This highly motivated team of experts from Medall comprising of a “Chief Happiness Officer” and “Happiness Envoys” (yes, they mean business) have dealt with a spectrum of student related issues in the past and are planning to conduct lectures and talks for the same cause.
They are free for a call round the clock.
From 9 am to 5.30 pm (Mon- Saturday) call :
· 044-40447778
· 044-40447784
· 8754594541
· 8754594542
· 9840441409
From 5.30 pm to 9.30 Pm (On all Days) call:
· 8754594541
· 8754594542
· 9840441409
From 9.30pm – 9.30 am ( On all Days)call:
· 8754594540
· 9840441409
· 8754594541
· 8754594542
Note: Mr. Raju Venkatraman, the Managing Director & CEO of MEDall Medical Services, is an alumnus of IIT Madras.
