I can’t concentrate on my studies, my mind runs in all directions. I am scared to get less marks than my elder sister or cousin or neighbour’s son. My parents always tell me I should do well because they have invested so much in my education. I can’t study for long because I am addicted to online games.

Sounds familiar? With barely days remaining for CISCE and CBSE boards, aspirants are on tenterhooks. Exam stress comes in many forms nowadays, with parental and peer pressure, social media distractions, heightened career ambitions, as well as self-image and self-esteem issues linked with marks.

To counter this stress, psychiatrists and counsellors have started lending a helping hand.

While CBSE started its online counselling for anxious students from February 1, city based organisations have decided to help students cope with stress this board exam season.

Mental health experts say anxiety, fear of failure and poor scores as well as sleeplessness and physical unease are the most common symptoms found in students appearing for board exams.

Jeevan, a social outfit based in Bistupur that works on mental health for many years, has sent their helpline numbers 9297777499/500 to all schools through email to be shared with students in case they need it. The organisation has also floated their email id jeevanjamshedpur@gmail.com in case some students prefer writing for help without speaking to anyone.

“We have also requested schools to mention helpline numbers in the school diary. A patient listener can work wonders. We are on call between 10am and 6pm. Students can mail us too,” said Gurpreet Kaur Bhatia, deputy director of Jeevan.

Tata Main Hospital (TMH) psychiatry department has started approaching schools for de-stress sessions. Dr Sanjay Agarwal, who heads the psychiatry department of TMH, said the department had been organising sessions for the emotional well-being of the student community. “We want to be there for them at a time they need us the most,” said Dr Agarwal, adding they had addressed sessions in DAV Public School, Bistupur, and AIWC Academy of Excellence, Baridih.

He added that parents needed to understand their wards the most this time. “Understanding a student’s psychology this time is the biggest help that parents can extend. I request students and their parents to approach us if there is need. Often, a student is more willing to share his or her anxiety with a stranger than with parents or teachers,” Dr Agarwal said, adding they were open to visiting more schools.

In all, over 50,000 students from Jharkhand are writing the CISCE and CBSE boards this year. There are 103 ICSE/ ISC schools in Jharkhand with some 12,000 Class X and 5,000 Class XII examinees. There are 190 CBSE schools across the state with some 15,000 Class XII and some 18,000 Class X examinees.

Students of ISC appeared for their first practical paper on Tuesday and will start theory papers begins from February 15 with economics. ICSE students will start their boards from February 22 with English language. CBSE class XII exams will begin from February 15 and their Class X exams from February 21.