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Reaching out for Help: Calls to a Mental Health Helpline Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Josianne Scerri

    (Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
    Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education Kingston University and St George’s University of London, Kingston-Upon-Thames KT2 7LB, UK)

  • Alexei Sammut

    (Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Sarah Cilia Vincenti

    (Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Paulann Grech

    (Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Michael Galea

    (Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Christian Scerri

    (Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Daniela Calleja Bitar

    (Richmond Foundation 424, St. Joseph High Road, SVR 1013 St. Venera, Malta)

  • Stephania Dimech Sant

    (Richmond Foundation 424, St. Joseph High Road, SVR 1013 St. Venera, Malta)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis associated with adverse mental health consequences. This study examined 2908 calls made to a national mental health helpline over a 10 month period, 2 months prior to (Pre-COVID) and 8 months during the pandemic phase, that incorporated the imposition of a partial lockdown, followed by the removal and reintroduction of restrictive measures locally. Data collected included reason/s for call assistance, gender, age and number of daily diagnosed cases and deaths due to COVID-19. In the Pre-COVID phase, calls for assistance were related to information needs and depression. With the imposition of a partial lockdown, coupled with the first local deaths and spikes in number of diagnosed cases, a significant increase in number of calls targeting mental health, medication management and physical and financial issues were identified. Following the removal of local restrictions, the number of calls decreased significantly; however, with the subsequent reintroduction of restrictions, coupled with the rise in cases and deaths, assistance requested significantly targeted informational needs. Hence, whilst calls in the initial phase of the pandemic mainly targeted mental health issues, over time this shifted towards information seeking requests, even within a context where the number of deaths and cases had significantly risen.

Suggested Citation

  • Josianne Scerri & Alexei Sammut & Sarah Cilia Vincenti & Paulann Grech & Michael Galea & Christian Scerri & Daniela Calleja Bitar & Stephania Dimech Sant, 2021. "Reaching out for Help: Calls to a Mental Health Helpline Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4505-:d:542302
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Kim Usher & Navjot Bhullar & Debra Jackson, 2020. "Life in the pandemic: Social isolation and mental health," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(15-16), pages 2756-2757, August.
    3. H Manjula Bai, 2020. "The Socio-Economic Implications of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19): A Review," ComFin Research, Shanlax Journals, vol. 8(4), pages 8-17, October.
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