People feel more youngsters should dial helplines and dispel doubts about teenage pregnancy and abortion.
Helplines are a good option especially for teenagers who aren't sure of confiding in their parents. Youngsters are not very comfortable talking to parents about sensitive issues like sex education, and even parents hesitate to talk freely. Helplines will aid them in getting authentic information. Sometimes there is a problem getting through the numbers. Helplines must not insist that youngsters should reveal their identity.
—Juie Pagnis
It's a good initiative taken by the government. It’s better when youngsters get such information from qualified experts rather than any unreliable source. This will go a long way in allaying fears among children. However, I'm not sure if many will actually call up in case of queries. But it's a good move. It will be of great assistance especially to those who are not educated and don't find basic information.
—Saumil Ghandade
I will not trust a helpline, since I don't know the identity of the person at the other end. I don't know if they are qualified enough to answer our queries. But in case of people contemplating suicide, I'm sure such helplines will help. This is because in such cases, people are comfortable talking to a stranger rather than their kin. I don't think many will use the helpline despite it being toll-free. Maybe the government needs to advertise it better to spread awareness.
—Aarifa Rizvi
Personally, I think it's a good measure. Such helplines benefit women especially from rural areas and those who aren't well educated. Moreover newly married couples have doubts, but they fear going to a counsellor. So it will help clear misconceptions people have about contraception, safe abortion and sexually transmitted diseases. It helps when the lines are toll-free, hopefully youngsters should make effective use of it.
—Hemal Rajgor
We should have many more toll-free helplines not just for any medical queries but issues related to education or infrastructure. But how many of us from the city make use of such helplines? Some are sceptical and others unsure about trusting the counsellor at the other end. But since they have trained agents assisted by a gynaecologist and doctors, we should avail of helplines, especially during emergencies.
—Ankita Mondal
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