Speak2Us helpline receives 3,700 calls since launch

The Speak2Us mental health helpline, run by the M S Chellamuthu Trust, has received about 3,700 calls since its launch in October 2020. The helpline operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is staffed by 69 trained volunteers. Call volume has increased significantly, with 40.80% of calls handled in 2024, up from just 5.12% in 2021. Most callers are aged 31 to 40, and many report distress related to health, academics, and relationships. The volunteers have reached out to 3,500 college students and 15,000 school students to raise awareness about the helpline. They emphasize the importance of privacy and urge media to protect the identities of vulnerable individuals.