College mulls cell to prevent more suicides

Updated on: 21 January,2009 01:34 PM IST |
Shlok Kumar |

BES College, Jayanagar, plans to set up a counselling cell on campus following the tragic suicide of one of its students Annapurna (16).

BES College, Jayanagar, plans to set up a counselling cell on campus following the tragic suicide of one of its students Annapurna (16).
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Principal N S Vijaya, said, "The management has decided to set up a three-member committee to address the emotional and stress-related issues of students. I will personally oversee the institution of this committee."

The cell will start functioning in June this year.

Vijaya added, "We teachers have always advocated moderation. Excessive use of mobile phones and social networking sites has youngsters worrying over trivial matters. And family expectations only make it worse."

The college had already banned the use of mobile phones on campus.

"I myself don't have a mobile. In fact, last week, I confiscated Annapurna's mobile phone," he said.

"In many cases youngsters are afraid to admit even small issues to their parents. Things like failure in exams and broken relationships add to the distress. Pushed by circumstances, they resort to suicide," Anitha Gracias, a counsellor at SAHAI, an NGO dedicated to suicide prevention, said.

"Parents must realise that buying new jeans or gizmos doesn't bring them any closer to their kids. School autorities too are often indifferent to the emotional needs of their students," she said.

"Unfortunately the social stigma associated with counselling effaces any strength in them to address their issues," she added.

Vijaya agrees, "We have a long way to go in eliminating the social stigma associated with counselling."