‘Moner Jotno Mobile E’ tele counseling service for anxieties related to COVID-19

BRAC, Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic (PHWC), and suicide prevention hotline Kaan Petey Roi have collectively launched ‘Moner Jotno Mobile E’, a Tele counseling platform to provide emergency counseling support for the people who are experiencing distress, frustration and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The service was launched on Monday, 20 April 2020, and will be available across the country. The organizers said that everyone will be able to seek support for the stress and frustration which may have created from the situation caused by the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Tele counseling hotline number 01709-817179 will be open from 8 am till 12 midnight. counselors will directly pick the calls from the persons in distress.

Dr Erum Mariam, Executive Director of BRAC Institute of Educational Development said, “This collaborative effort aims at helping those who are experiencing a state of stress and anxiety in this unusual situation. Lockdowns, long stay at home, and other social distancing measures enforced to contain the spread of the virus are causing confusion and distress among many of us, while many others are anxious about losing jobs. Expert counseling from platforms such as ‘Moner Jotno Mobile E’, which combines the expertise of BRAC, PHWC, and Kaan Petey Roi, can provide essential mental support to suffering individuals so that they can better tackle this crisis and inspire a sense of hopefulness for the future.”

Organizers also stated remote counseling using a phone is being globally advocated by specialists, especially in a time of lockdowns such as the current pandemic, when people are often unable to get out of the home to seek support.

Under ‘Moner Jotno Mobile E’ initiative, a team of 28 psychologists and counselors, trained in general psychology, counseling psychology, and clinical psychology, will directly attend to the callers whose full confidentiality will be ensured.

The professionals will provide an empathetic and comfortable space in which the callers will feel heard, valued and respected as well as encouraged to confide their distresses, enabling them to feel less isolated and separated. Telecounsellors will also support the callers with wellbeing tips and exercise suggestions, which will hopefully ease their distress and anxiety.

The organisers further noted that if any caller expresses that they have symptoms of COVID-19, or manifests more serious psychological distress, they will be referred to other respective government-approved services for further attention and treatment.

This article has been posted by a News Hour Correspondent. For queries, please contact through [email protected]
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