Govt docs roped in to provide counselling for NEET aspirants

CHENNAI: At least 800 aspirants of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) were contacted by the 104 mental health helpline on Wednesday and 364 others were given psychological counselling regarding their fears and concerns related to the exam, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Thursday.

He said the contacts of 1.10 lakh students who had registered to appear for NEET this year have been obtained and they will be given counselling.

“Mental health professionals working in government hospitals and medical college hospitals across the State have initiated the programme to provide counselling to all students who registered to appear for NEET in Tamil Nadu. We will be able to address the concerns of these students and parents are happy that we have taken such an initiative,” said the Health Minister.

He responded to the criticism over NEET by BJP party members and said they should realise which party brought the exam and emphasised it. He said students were already impacted by the pandemic and playing the blame game will only confuse the students. Political leaders such as K Annamalai from BJP should talk responsibly and not create panic,” he said.

Talking about continuing Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam in nine districts where Model Code of Conduct will be in place due to local elections, he said the Election Commissioner has been approached to continue the initiative as it is a special programme that has been benefitting the people in a large scale. We will continue the programme if the Election Commissioner approves the request.