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QNA
Doha
The Mental Health Service of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) on Wedneday launched a new helpline to provide support to people experiencing stress or psychological distress as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Working with the Ministry of Public Health and the Primary Health Care Corporation, the national initiative will support all sections of the community.
To access the helpline, which is available from 7am to 10pm every day, members of the public can call the toll free number, 16000. The helpline is confidential and users can remain anonymous, avoiding the stigma often associated with mental health.
The helpline is staffed by experienced mental health professionals who can provide assessment and support to callers through four main categories: Children and Young People (and parents), Adults, Older People and Frontline Healthcare Workers.
The staff taking calls at the helpline speak a range of languages and every effort will be made to enable callers to communicate in their language of choice.
The staff will make an initial assessment of need, may offer brief support or refer for more specialist help when this is required. An appointment can be made on the line and a tele-consultation can be arranged with a suitable clinician.
“The situation we are facing is unprecedented. The emergence of COVID-19 in Qatar has forced us to completely change many aspects of how we live our lives and with this change comes uncertainty, said Chair of the National Taskforce for Mental Health and Wellbeing and HMCs Chief of Continuing Care Group Mahmoud Saleh al Raisi.
He added, “Many people are understandably worried by the current situation and may feel frightened, confused, anxious or low. It is important that people understand that these feelings are normal and that there is help available for them. This new mental health helpline aims to provide an easily-accessible support line for people in need of professional advice and care.”
Doha
The Mental Health Service of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) on Wedneday launched a new helpline to provide support to people experiencing stress or psychological distress as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Working with the Ministry of Public Health and the Primary Health Care Corporation, the national initiative will support all sections of the community.
To access the helpline, which is available from 7am to 10pm every day, members of the public can call the toll free number, 16000. The helpline is confidential and users can remain anonymous, avoiding the stigma often associated with mental health.
The helpline is staffed by experienced mental health professionals who can provide assessment and support to callers through four main categories: Children and Young People (and parents), Adults, Older People and Frontline Healthcare Workers.
The staff taking calls at the helpline speak a range of languages and every effort will be made to enable callers to communicate in their language of choice.
The staff will make an initial assessment of need, may offer brief support or refer for more specialist help when this is required. An appointment can be made on the line and a tele-consultation can be arranged with a suitable clinician.
“The situation we are facing is unprecedented. The emergence of COVID-19 in Qatar has forced us to completely change many aspects of how we live our lives and with this change comes uncertainty, said Chair of the National Taskforce for Mental Health and Wellbeing and HMCs Chief of Continuing Care Group Mahmoud Saleh al Raisi.
He added, “Many people are understandably worried by the current situation and may feel frightened, confused, anxious or low. It is important that people understand that these feelings are normal and that there is help available for them. This new mental health helpline aims to provide an easily-accessible support line for people in need of professional advice and care.”
