Phoneline help for exam students

Disappointed pupils are urged to talk to counsellors

Help is being offered to A-Level students feeling emotionally distressed because of their exam results.

Lifeline is a free telephone counselling service, funded by the DHSS and operated by Contact Youth.

It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Freephone number is 0808 808 8000.

Fergus Cumiskey, clinical director of Contact Youth, said some students' plans have been thrown into chaos by their results.

"Students will be inundated with academic and careers advice over the next few days but it is important not to ignore the emotional impact of the problems and big decisions many young people find themselves facing," he said.

"We would encourage anyone who is feeling despair to call Lifeline. Our role is to listen and to support, never to judge, and to help those in need through their troubled time."

Callers to Lifeline are connected directly to a trained counsellor who will listen to their problems in confidence.