Thu May 08 20:16:38 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Launches Post-Exam Counseling Hotline for Students
**Chennai, May 9, 2025** – Following the release of Class 12 board exam results, the Tamil Nadu Health Department has activated a counselling hotline to support students who did not pass. The initiative, utilizing the TeleMANAS (14416) and State Health (104) helplines, aims to reach out to approximately 39,000 students whose details were provided by the School Education Department.
This proactive mental health program, launched several years ago, also assists National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) aspirants. Counsellors will contact students and their parents, assessing their emotional state and identifying those at high risk, such as students exhibiting suicidal thoughts or severe distress. High-risk cases will be escalated to clinical psychologists and, if necessary, the District Mental Health Programme teams.
Dr. V. Venkatesh Mathan Kumar, a psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health, explained the process, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and providing appropriate support, including coping mechanisms and emotional support. The initiative underscores the state government’s commitment to student well-being and offers a vital resource for students facing emotional challenges after receiving their exam results. Those experiencing suicidal thoughts are urged to contact the helplines mentioned above.
First Piper 