A state-aided university in Purulia has opened an online unit to offer psychological counselling to undergraduate and postgraduate students and research scholars to help them combat anxiety and stress because of the lockdown.

The online counselling started on March 28 and teachers of the psychology department of Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia, are answering questions of students and scholars.

The questions range from when normal classes will resume to how one can protect himself/herself from the coronavirus and if they will be eligible for scholarships during the lockdown or how the university will complete the syllabi, according to the teachers.

“Many students are scared about the disease. They are not clear about the facilities available for treatment. Some are worried about their academic careers,” Tapolagna Das, head of the university's psychology department, said.

“The counseling is aimed at addressing these fears. We are trying to guide them in the right direction.”

Three teachers who are running the online unit are receiving at least 20 queries every day over phone, WhatsApp or email between 10am and 10pm. Details of the counselling are available on the university's website.

The queries are being received over phone, WhatsApp and emails between 10am to 10pm.

The Sidho Kanho Birsha University caters to students from Purulia, Bankura and Midnapore districts.

The university decided to run the online counselling unit after authorities found that abrupt changes in the daily routine because of the lockdown had increased the anxiety and stress levels among students and scholars, Dipak Kar, university vice-chancellor, said.

“In a university like ours we need to be more cautious about the mental health of our students. In Calcutta, a number of centres offers psychological counselling. In Purulia, it won't be easy for a student suffering from depression or stress to find a counsellor. So, we decided to start the online counseling facility,” Kar said.

The unit is offering students tips on how to remain mentally and physically fit during the lockdown.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on March 24 announced a 21-day lockdown across the country to combat the novel coronavirus.