PRAYAGRAJ, July 12 -- Career-related anxiety and confusion over choosing the right profession have emerged as the most common concerns among students calling a mental health helpline run by the Bureau of Psychology (Manovigyanshala) in Prayagraj, with nearly 40% of the daily calls seeking career counselling. An analysis of calls received on the helpline from across Uttar Pradesh has revealed that a significant number of students are seeking counselling not only for career guidance but also for issues such as examination stress, depression, social withdrawal and anxiety. The helpline, 18001805311, operates from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 6 pm. A team of 14 counsellors manages the service in two-hour shifts, with four counsellors attending each shift. Rajkumar Rai, senior counsellor at the Bureau of Psychology, said the helpline receives around 25 calls every day, of which nearly eight to 10 (around 40%) are from students worried about making the right career choice. Callers also seek help for a range of issues, including domestic disputes, challenges in raising children, stress management, negative peer pressure and behavioural changes among adolescents. "If the issue is not very complex, we counsel students over the phone and help them understand the relationship between their academic interests and the suitability of different career options. In more complex cases, we invite them to the Bureau of Psychology for a detailed assessment," Rai said. He said students are evaluated through various psychological and aptitude tests....