1. 9/11/13 Peer counsellors reach out to the needy- The Hindu
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Peer counsellors reach out to the needy
Amutha Kannan
A study of 4,646 students from 96 colleges across the State has shown that 12.20 per cent students have attempted
suicide, while 15.45 per cent have suicidal tendencies.
The University Grants Commission project, taken up by Thomas Jenetius, Director of the Centre for Counselling and
Guidance, Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, Pollachi, has come up with the inference that failed love leads the list
of reasons for suicide among college students.
Various adolescent and lifestyle problems such as insomnia, inferiority complex, lack of self confidence, harassment
by teachers / classmates / others, fear of the unknown, etc., if not addressed or overcome, leads to three situations,
according to the study.
The situations are, absence of anyone to talk to, lack of friends, and developing suicidal tendencies.
There are some who indulge in behavioural deviances such as getting involved in violent activities, smoking,
consuming paan, alcohol or narcotic drugs.
According to Mr. Jenetius, the college has not witnessed any suicide in the last three years.
Though this is credited in some portion to the role of the Centre, he says that it is the work of peer counsellors that
has kept suicidal tendencies at bay in the college.
Four to eight students in a class, based on certain parameters, are made peer counsellors for their classmates. They
are oriented regularly by professionals to handle issues.
These peer counsellors function as primary counsellors for their classmates till the completion of the course.
Information
Since most of the student problems are addressed at the peer counsellor level, the Centre handles only those that are
beyond the handling of the peer counsellors. This concept gives the opportunity to the student to speak to someone in
the same age group who keeps the information confidential.
With rising suicidal tendencies and psychologists stressing the role of peers in helping those with such tendencies, the
model of this college seems a success story.