Psycho-Social Support Helplines Calls During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

Abstract

The necessary measures taken to limit the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unfortunate negative effect on the mental well-being of people across the world. The pandemic affected the service delivery of mental health services in Turkey. Unlike many countries, that made use of digital health services and of telephone helplines to respond to increased need for information and support, Turkey had no prior experience with national mental health helplines. It established a national-wide helpline in a short time and responded to calls for information and support. This study looks at the helpline establishment, support given, reasons for calls and referrals, for a period of 12 months. Top reasons for calls included COVID-19 infection or loss of relative, anxiety and need for information. The helplines were essential at the beginning of the pandemic to respond to the need for information and support.