PSYCHOLOGICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL

an experience report on a child psychological service

Abstract

The present article aims to report the experience of implementing a
Psychological On-Call Service in a public school located in a context marked by
vulnerability, drug use, and criminality in the capital of Piauí. The study
highlights the potential feasibility of Psychology within the school setting to
promote emotional support through this service, with a focus on children’s
mental health. This initiative became particularly relevant due to the growing
number of cases involving self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation, aggression,
and child exploitation occurring in this specific school context, considering that
socioemotional difficulties strongly affect educational processes and human
development. The experience took place during an internship, in which
psychological support was provided to students from the 1st to the 5th grades
of elementary school between February and May 2024. The meetings were held
in a private room, using playful materials. Feedback from students and teachers
regarding this initiative was documented and discussed with the institution. The
results show that the service provided students with the opportunity to express
deep emotions and experience emotional relief during times of crisis.
Furthermore, the Psychological On-Call Service acted as a catalyst for
identifying collective school demands, enabling the recognition of needs for
broader and more structured future interventions. It is concluded that this type
of psychological service represents an effective tool within the school context,
fostering emotional development and contributing to a more welcoming and
preventive school environment with regard to children’s mental health.