Telephone counselling cell at the psychology department of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 16: Utkal University today launched its own campus tele-counselling centre to offer professional and psychological help to those in distress.

The move was initiated following the death of one of the students of the university last week.

Twenty-two-year old Sangeeta Sarojini, a second year student of the psychology department had ended her life following a failed love affair. The helpline number — 0674-2581739 — will be operated from the psychology department of the varsity and will be open from 10am to 4pm.

“There is stress and strain everywhere and we have experts here who can offer right counselling. It will not only help students and the university staff but will also allow common people to share their distress over the phone,” said P.K. Sahoo, vice-chancellor Utkal University while inaugurating the unit.

Till now the department had an unofficial unit where people seeking counselling were offered services.

“At present the department receives three to four cases every week and sessions are held accordingly. We get queries from students, children and adults from inside the university and also from outside Bhubaneswar. The callers generally discuss problems related to career, mother and child communication gap, also lack of concentration and achievement issues. People with personal issues and mid-life crisis problem too approach us for counselling,” said Saswati Jena, a counsellor.

However, the issues will be tackled in a more organised manner from now on. “We will have three professional counsellors to man the unit in shifts,” said head of the department P. K. Rath.

“Telephone counselling will come as a huge respite for all those who do not wish to be identified. It will reduce the time of travel and is more convenient for today’s generation. We will try our best to offer our counselling over phone. However, if required, we will invite the individual for a one on one session at the unit,” said Sasmita Swain another counsellor.