Helpline for mental health launched

TNN | Apr 8, 2020, 04:24 IST

T’puram: Apart from offering psychological support to people on quarantine, the helpline under the health department has started taking care of the needs of healthcare professionals, who are frontline warriors in the fight against Covid 19. Healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, are being provided counselling and other psychological supports through the helpline.
Dr Kiran P S, state nodal officer, mental health programme, said that the service was launched recently as the healthcare professionals were facing various work-related stress. “Many are working overtime without rest. Due to stress, some have complained of sleeplessness while some are facing anxiety issues. Most of the health workers engaged in Covid19-related works are keeping themselves isolated from families. Some are on quarantine,” he said.
The health helpline has also started giving calls to guest labourers. “Initially there were only complaints related to food. e have deployed persons who are fluent in Hindi and Bengali to understand their concerns,” he said.
University of Kerala has started a counselling cell to provide psychological support to students, parents and teachers to cope with the concerns over Covid 19. The cell will provide support through phone, WhatsApp or email. The service will be available from 9am to 6pm. Contact 9947357986, 8547281985, 7306998284, 7902729460, 7907088929, 9447019348, 6282689211, vimalsv21@gmail.com, psy.sujith@gmail.com. tnn