Each student was like a sportsperson and examinations were like a playground. No sportsperson had committed suicide or left the field after losing at a tournament. They had returned with renewed vigour to compete again, said senior head constable D.G. Ramurthy.
‘Encourage them’
With just a few weeks left for schools examinations, Mr. Ramurthy, who works at the Special Branch of the Chittoor police at Kuppam, has taken upon himself to visit more than 100 private schools and colleges in the district for a month with an NGO and counsel students on dealing with examination-related stress.
As part of the Kuppam-based Revathi Foundation’s team of 20 specialists, including psychologists, stage artists and mimicry artistes, he would focus on dealing with suicidal thoughts among students too during the one-hour sessions.
Mr. Ramurthy (45), who has held several counselling sessions for students, said, “First, we want to instil confidence among student to face examinations. After all, they are have been writing examinations since kindergarten. We want to appeal to parents not to press their children and create panic among them, but encourage them.”
Stating that students had to refrain from certain activities, he said, students should avoid junk foods, as it would spoil their routine and increase stress levels. They should include at least a half an hour exercise session in their schedules, study in the mornings, shed over confidence and stay away from cellphones, TVs and outdoor activity.”
Mr. said that he was thankful to his higher authorities for allowing him to utilise his free time and leaves for the campaign.