MANOTHEJAKA HELPLINE’ to Your Rescue in Times of Angst & Anxiety during Covid-19 Pandemic
“You Are Not Alone. We Are Here To Help You. We Will Make You Feel Better”- Team at Manothejaka
Mangaluru: “Manothejaka” is a free, confidential, mental wellness helpline created in response to COVID-19 pandemic. It is an initiative of the Listening and Learning Centre, Department of Psychology, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, in association with Prajna Counselling Centre- NGO, CHD Group – Public Health NGO, and Aadyaa Communications, Bengaluru. This HELPLINE was launched on 4 April 2020, at 10:00 am through a zoom Meeting- and the meeting was blessed by Rev Dr (Fr) Praveen Martis SJ, Principal St Aloysius College, and Rev Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions and Director of the Listening and Learning Center.
With a team of experienced psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, doctors, and other professionals from across the country and abroad, “Manothejaka” aims to lift up the spirits of people during the pandemic. Driven by angst and anxiety generated by this pandemic its impact on individuals and communities is overwhelming. Mental health matters. Self-preservation also means taking care of our mental health. When uncertainty, fear, threat to one’s life and that of others looms large, it is natural to lose ones sense of control. Some may experience information overload with regular media updates, difficulty accepting the situation and have anxiety about their health and those of their loved ones, among many others. Quarantine, isolation and physical distancing are effective in containing the current pandemic but it causes lot of anguish and mental health issues. Good Mental health is the key to survive this latest COVID 19 pandemic.
While dialing -For Psychological Counselling Press 1;
For Tele-medicine by doctors-Press 2
For Domestic violence helpline counselors-Press 3
The team provides a free, welcoming space where people can openly talk about their feelings and fears, and resolve their worries in a positive way. “Manothejaka” is an attempt to help people cope and overcome the pandemic with resilience, hope, and good mental health. We wish to extend our support, understand concerns and help discuss what might be helpful at this point. Through this helpline, we strive to help people to better cope with resilience, in order to preserve their psychological well-being.
This Helpline which is an initiative by Dr Shalini Aiyappa, Head, Dept of Psychology, Coordinator of the Listening and Learning Centre, at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, who speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “Manothejaka” aims to lift up the spirits of people during the pandemic. From the time it has been launched we have been receiving calls from across the country as far as Kolkatta and Mumbai. Reactions range from “This is scary”, “Can I Call you for a minute”, “ My husband is not around , I’m scared”, “I want to see some familiar faces”, “In case of emergency can I call you”, “I feel a little lost. Want to talk to someone”, “Thank you for being there. Though the helpline is a response to the present situation we do provide emotional support to callers’ distress other than COVID 19 related”.
“A team of professionals’ Mental health and Medical doctors responding in English, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi are available 24/7. One can also write to our professionals by dropping your concerns to this email manothejaka@gmail.com. Visit our website www.manothejaka.com. The website also provides additional information and reading material on coping with the pandemic. Those who wish to volunteer can submit information on the website. “You are not alone. We are here to help you. We will make you feel better” added Dr Shalini Aiyappa.
For More Details log on to website : www.manothejaka.com.
