The state commission for child rights has launched helpline numbers of psychiatrists, paediatricians and gynaecologists for free telephonic consultation during the lockdown.

The helplines were launched on Wednesday and have been circulated among police stations in the city and districts, district officials and over social media.

“The lockdown is stressful for everyone and especially traumatic for children. Parents are at a loss on how to keep them engaged and may end up losing their cool or need professional help to cope with the situation. The commission is only facilitating the process,” said Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti, the chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Paediatrician Shamik Ghosh, who is on the panel, said besides enquiring about what to do in case of cough, cold and fever, callers also sought suggestions on how to keep children occupied.

“With outdoor activities on hold, the children need avenues to vent pent-up energy. The age group is eight to 17 and parents are calling for counselling advice or even asking us to speak to the children,” Ghosh said.

The list published by the commission has time slots mentioned against each specialist.

The helpline numbers are available on the commission’s website (http://wbcpcr.org/pdf/notice/child-helpline-number.pdf), Facebook page (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1133389473660884&id=499999766999861 ) and Twitter handle (https://twitter.com/WBCPCR/status/1242767963213578240?s=08.