After a many young victims fell into the trap of the Blue Whale challenge in India, Fortis Healthcare launched a 24×7 stress helpline on Thursday to provide psychological support to them.
The helpline number – 8376804102 – can be dialled by anyone undergoing stress or anxiety by being a participant in the challenge.
Dr Samir Parikh, psychiatrist and director of the National Mental Health Program at Fortis Healthcare, posted an image announcing the stress helpline on Twitter on Wednesday.
#helpline @fortis_hospital @fmri_official @fortisescorts @FortisBangalore @mammamia_off @FortisMohali #mindspace pic.twitter.com/bWxFFlKjqn
— Dr. Samir Parikh (@dr_samirparikh) September 6, 2017
As per his statement, the helpline will provide support to individuals and families in coping with the situation. They have already begun receiving calls from teenagers as well as concerned parents.
About six cases so far in India have been linked to the Blue Whale challenge.
The first case was reported in Mumbai, where a 14-year-old boy jumped from the seventh floor of a building and succumbed to his injuries.
Since then, measures are being taken up to block the online links of this game and to encourage parents to monitor the online activity of their kids.
The Karnataka Government recently issued a directive to teachers and school managements to look out for any weird injuries or signs on the arms or face of students, and immediately alert the administration of the same.
The survivors of the game have said how, through a customised link on social media platforms, they were able to enter the game, and how it became increasingly hard to distance themselves from it as their personal details were shared with the game administrator.
Through its challenges spread over a 50-day period, the game causes psychological trauma to the participants, which ultimately leads them to their death.
This helpline hopes to act as a safety net and provide immediate help from psychiatrists at the Department of Mental Health in Fortis.
