BRAC, PHWC and Kaan Petey Roi launch Telecounselling service 'Moner Jotno Mobile E' for anxieties related to Covid-19

BRAC, Psychological Health & Wellness Clinic (PHWC) and emotional support and suicide prevention hotline Kaan Petey Roi, have launched "Moner Jotno Mobile E,"  a telecounselling platform to provide emergency counselling support for citizens experiencing distress, frustration and stress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The service was launched today on Monday and will be available across the country, according a BRAC press release.

As per the press release, any citizen, irrespective of gender and socio-economic background, will be able to seek support for the stress and frustration which may have arisen from the situation caused by the spread of Novel Coronavirus.  The hotline number 01709-817179 will be open from 8am till 12 midnight. Counsellors will directly pick the calls from the persons in distress. 

Under "Moner Jotno Mobile E"  initiative, a team of 28 psychologists and counsellors, trained in general psychology, counselling psychology and clinical psychology, will directly attend to the callers whose full confidentiality will be ensured. Telecounsellors will also support them with wellbeing tips, exercises and suggestions, which will hopefully ease their distress and anxiety.

The release 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 collaborative effort aims at helping those who are experiencing a state of stress and anxiety in this unusual situation," Dr Erum Mariam, executive director, BRAC Institute of Educational Development said.

"Expert counselling from platforms such as "Moner Jotno Mobile E," can provide essential mental support to suffering individuals, so that they can better tackle this crisis and inspire a sense of hopefulness for future," he added.